Tuscarora softball’s Scheivert sisters have one last ride before joining Blue Hens
LEESBURG, Va. (BVM) – For a family to have one good high school softball player excelling in their sport is one thing. For a family to have two is a whole other thing completely. That’s the case for the Scheivert family and sisters Katie and Lillie of Tuscarora High School.
“With travel we’re never really on the same team so it’s awesome to be able to play together,” Katie said. “It’s perfect that we get to do it on this team and I feel like we’ve really connected with this team so I feel like we’re doing something special here.”
The sisters, senior Katie and junior Lillie, are just a part of what is a strong Tuscarora team. After winning the Dulles District championship and the Region 4C championship last year, the Huskies only lost one senior to graduation, returning one of the area’s best lineups. Alongside Katie and Lillie, Tuscarora has also returned senior Norfolk State commit Lisa Zorb, senior Seton Hall commit Tristin Koerner and junior Louisville commit Lindsey Mullen. As a couple of the team’s top players, the Scheiverts won’t miss out on going to the next level themselves.
“Our high school team is full of talent and we all get along so well so it’s like a super great experience to play and have fun and win,” Lillie said.
On Aug. 13, Katie committed to the University of Delaware, a Division I program in the Colonial Athletic Association. At the time, Katie ranked as the No. 119 player nationally by Extra Innings Softball. The Blue Hens were also coming off of a strong season of their own, going 25-9 and making an appearance in the CAA championship game.
“I feel like I was really connected with Delaware since our mom used to work there and then I met the coaches and it immediately clicked that I had to go to Delaware,” Katie said. “I will definitely have to work for it, nothing is given, so I’m excited to work for it.”
I am incredibly excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue both my athletic & academic career at the University of Delaware! I would like to thank @CoachJenSteele @AndradeN23 @CoachBellisari for the opportunity! Go Blue Hens! 💙💛 pic.twitter.com/ufHkSoTA34
— Katie Scheivert (@kscheivert20) August 13, 2021
A few months later, it was Lillie’s turn to announce her decision. On Nov. 15, Lillie announced that she would join her sister at Delaware following her graduation in 2023.
“Recruiting is super stressful and it was hard but Delaware and the coaches there I loved them and they were super great to me and did my recruiting and I didn’t feel the same connection with them as I did with other coaches,” Lillie said. “They went above and beyond to make sure I wanted to go there and that I’d like it there.”
Grateful for the opportunity to continue my athletic and academic career at the University of Delaware! Special thanks to my family and everyone who’s believed in me along the way. Go Blue Hens!!💛💙 @CoachJenSteele @AndradeN23 @CoachBellisari @kaflores1998 @Delaware_SB pic.twitter.com/67lk0e7hbp
— Lillie Scheivert (@LillieScheivert) November 15, 2021
The commitment solidified the duo once again joining forces after a year of separation. It is a decision that will likely pay off for the Blue Hens as the pair have shown that they not only excel individually but may be even better together.
“Our commitments were kind of close so everybody was super excited that Katie committed and our whole family loved the coaches, the campus and everything about Delaware,” Lillie said. “Everybody is super excited and really happy for us because we play really well together and we’re like each other’s best friends so it’s really exciting that we’re going to play with each other at the collegiate level.”
“It’s so exciting and we’ve been with each other our whole lives,” Katie said. “We’re literally each other’s best friends and everybody’s saying ‘I can’t see you guys going to different schools’ so it was super exciting when we found out we were both going to be able to go to school together and play on the same team again.”
For everyone saying they “couldn’t imagine the Scheivert sisters being apart”, now you don’t have to. So proud of my little sister, ROLL HENS 💙💛 https://t.co/UaIMH0RpgI
— Katie Scheivert (@kscheivert20) November 15, 2021
Though the future for the sisters is planned, they still have work to do in what is Katie’s final season as a Huskie. After helping Tuscarora advance all the way to the state semifinals a year ago, the pair wants to win the whole thing as a proper send off for their last season playing together at the school.
“I feel like our last season got cut short, I feel like we could’ve gone farther than we did so I feel like this year we are definitely ready to go farther than we did last year,” Katie said. “I feel like [winning state] would be so awesome considering the talent on our team and how strong the connections are on our team. I feel like that would be something awesome for us.”
“Last year we had a super good run, we came up a bit short in our last game which was sad but we only lost a few girls and we’re super ready for this year and we just want to win, win, win, do our best and play to our potential,” Lillie said. “I feel like it would be very well deserved. We all work so hard academically and athletically for our school and travel ball. We all work so hard and all push each other so I feel it would be well deserved.”
After a good game, our Huskies are Region Champions! We are headed to States! Next game Tuesday at Home! Be there!!💙🐾💍 pic.twitter.com/KqGSq0Ju5x
— THS Softball (@tuskysoftball) June 17, 2021
So far, it appears that the Huskies certainly have a chance to do just that. In five games this season, Tuscarora is a perfect 6-0 with a couple of wins over other area top programs in Loudoun County and Woodbridge. The Huskies started the season with a 4-1 win over Stone Bridge before a 10-2 win over the Independence Tigers, a 3-1 win over the Woodgrove Wolverines a 5-0 victory over the Loudoun Valley Vikings, a 10-0 win over the Dominion Titans and a 6-0 victory over the Loudoun County Captains, considered one of the toughest teams the Huskies will play this season.
“I feel like we’ve been pretty successful so far, we just need to play to our level,” Katie said. “Our team is so strong and so connected so I feel like that will really help us.”
“We just need to keep our bats going and keep supporting each other,” Lillie said.
With the duo together for their last season in their Huskies uniforms, they hope to be able to lead their strong unit to unmatched heights. As the pair continues to search for the elusive state title, Delaware softball and their faithful will get a look at what their team’s future could look like when Lillie arrives in Newark in 2023.
“We bring a lot of energy since we have the same energy so I think we will be super loud and energetic and we absolutely work well together,” Katie said.
“Be ready for it!” Lillie said. “We will bring some good stuff to UD.”
