Weller's Tenacity Making An Impact for Valley
Her freshman year, she overcame a serious back-injury that could of ended her softball career. She recovered from the extensive spinal-surgery and was released the first day of tryouts. This is the same girl who played in the state championships after re-pulling her groin muscle in warm-ups. Senior Malorie Weller lets nothing stand in her way. Her perseverance has always shown through. Undoubtedly, she was, and will always be determined. Why? She simply loves the sport.
"When I had back surgery, that was the worst year of my life," says Weller, "I don't know what I would do if I got an injury that stopped me from playing softball forever."
Weller, number one, is the Vikings catcher. Her freshman year, she was moved up to varsity for the post-season but didn't play. Her sophomore year, she started at first base and then moved to catcher her junior and senior year. Weller considers herself a leader and a team motivator. "I think one of my strengths as a leader is I can make something happen when it needs to happen. If everyone's down and not real energetic, I can usually dig deep and make something happen," she says, "In softball hitting is often a chain reaction, if one person gets a good hit the next person up usually will get a solid hit as well."
Weller explains that during important games things get a little tense and emotions can get out of control. So what does Weller do about it? When she senses things are uncomfortable, she goes out to the mound and gathers together the team. "Either make fun of someone in the stands, or even one of our own coaches, and then you'll see the smile break across everyone's face," she says.
"Malorie is a lot of fun. She knows how to laugh and have a good time," says coach Joe Spicer, "The other girls really like having her on the team." Spicer, Loudoun Valley's head coach, has been coaching Weller since she was ten. "Her greatest assets are her quickness on defense and her understanding of the game," he says, "She makes very smart decisions with the ball. She always throws it to the proper place."
After losing almost all their starters, softball fans and enthusiasts have low expectations for the Vikings. "Last years state championship contending team [27-1] was, yes, something special but that's what it was-last year's team," says Weller, "This year nobody expects us to be good, they don't expect us to blow people out like we did last year." Weller wants to prove them wrong. She describes the team as "young" and "immature". But she is confident that the team will grow up and gain the focus needed to win "big ball games". She says, "If I could describe the '06 team in one word it would be 'determined'- determined to prove everyone wrong."
One thing remains though; the Vikings continue to carry on a pre-game tradition. "We all get in a huddle and get the biggest wad of spit possible and we all spit at the same time," says Weller, "It's really gross but its tradition and who am I mess with that?"
Weller is a left-handed catcher. "I don't think there has been a game where the umpire hasn't made a comment about me being left handed," she says, "People always say 'You can't be a catcher if you're left handed?' or 'What are you thinking having a left handed catcher?' I think in my mind, just watch me."
Weller will always remember one practice in particular from last year. "We were all sweating like crazy, but we were all working extremely hard," she says, "After practice everyone was covered in dirt and sweat, but we loved it." As the girls packed up to leave, Spicer came up with two buckets of water and a bunch of water guns. "For the last ten minutes of practice we chased each other with squirt guns."
Her family is impressed with Weller's perseverance and discipline. Through pain and glory, traveling and expenses, her family has supported her. "It has been a financial commitment over the years," says her mother, Cecelia Weller, "But she has made it worthwhile and has worked very hard." She believes that Weller has made huge strides this past year. "She always had raw talent and desire," she says, "Now that she's grown and matured, her mental discipline has come around. In my mind, she is now a complete player."
Weller’s parents rarely miss a game. But last year, her father had a heart attack and had to miss a lot of her games. "Even though he wasn't awake for nearly a month his hospital room was covered with articles from the newspaper on my games and pictures of the team," says Weller.
When she was little, Weller would sit in the bleachers and watch the Loudoun Valley softball team. "I wanted to be just like them," she says, "I also remember telling everyone that softball was my ticket out of Loudoun County." Weller received a full scholarship to Kennesaw State University in Georgia. She will be coached by Scott Whitlock, one of the assistant Olympic Coaches. Weller accomplished both goals she set when she was younger. Now, she has another one. "There is one more goal that I want to reach and that is the Olympics."
