Staff Report
The Rancocas Valley High softball team has won seven of its last 10 games and is sitting in first place in the Olympic Conference’s American Division with a 6-1 record (15-6 overall). A big reason for the Red Devils’ success has been the play of its seniors, led by infielders Claire Gray and Avery Hennessey, who have combined for 27 hits, 19 runs, 17 RBIs, four doubles and two home runs.
Rancocas Valley has impressive wins this season over the likes of Paul VI, Clearview, Allentown, Cherokee and Lenape. South Jersey Glory Days Staff Writer Dave O’Sullivan caught up with Gray and Hennessey following a rousing 3-2 win over Cherokee back in mid-April.
Check out our 5 QUESTIONS feature with Rancocas Valley softball seniors Claire Gray and Avery Hennessey:
QUESTION: What has been the best thing about your senior year?
GRAY: I think the energy this year is different than any other year I’ve played on the team. It just feels so cohesive. Everyone is really playing for each other.
HENNESSEY: I definitely agree with Claire, and, also, I think the seniors really came together this year. We all play for each other. It’s our senior year — we want to win and we want to go far (in the state playoffs) so we knew we had to come together.
QUESTION: Promposals — cool or corny?
GRAY: I’m going to go with corny when it’s in front of a crowd. I don’t like that.
HENNESSEY: I definitely agree. In a little private one, something corny is great, but definitely not in front of a big crowd. Don’t come at me like that!
QUESTION: Which of your teammates is the loudest singer on the bus?
GRAY: Oh, my gosh! I’m going to go with (junior) Cayla Myers because she sings her own songs.
HENNESSEY: As someone who sits with Cayla, it’s definitely Cayla Myers!
QUESTION: What does it mean to you to have been able to represent this softball program for the last four years?
GRAY: It means so much. I’m really grateful that we’ve had the opportunity to have this new coaching staff. I just want to go as far as we can with the time that we have.
HENNESSEY: It’s been amazing. Watching the new coaching staff and just watching this team grow. We really came together. We’ve had each other’s backs through it all. Watching everyone grow from freshman year all the way up to senior year has really been amazing.
QUESTION: Who has been the biggest influence on your life, and why?
GRAY: I’d say my dad (Jim). He’s always been there for me. He was my coach for a couple of years, he’s driven too many hours for tournaments. He’s always there for me.
HENNESSEY: Definitely my pop-pop, my dad’s father (Patrick Hennessey). He’s at every game. He sends me a text after every game. He’s always in my corner, no matter what.
WHAT’S NEXT: Rancocas Valley travels to Cherokee on Wednesday at 3:45 p.m.
