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Avery Hobson Finds Home Away From Home At Washington


ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SOFTBALLAMERICA.COM


When Avery Hobson made the decision to enter the transfer portal after her second season at Oklahoma State, finding a competitive program that felt like her home away from home was her top priority.


So, when Washington became the first school to reach out to her, she was elated.


“Honestly, that was a huge shock to me because I never thought I would go to Washington,” Hobson said. “Everyone wants to play under Coach Tarr. As soon as I got the opportunity, I think my mind was already set that I wanted to play for her and be a part of that team. It is like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”


On her first official visit to Washington, that feeling was solidified. The welcoming atmosphere that surrounds the program won Hobson over, and she is still thrilled that UW is the place she landed.


“During my visit, it was so fun and I didn’t feel like I had to be nervous or someone I wasn’t,” Hobson said. “They did everything perfectly and they still are perfect. They are still the same people they were on my visit and that’s amazing because sometimes that changes.”


Joining the Huskies after two seasons with OSU and back-to-back Women's College World Series appearances, Hobson comes to the squad with a unique experience to pass along to her teammates. With her experience during postseason play mixed with her teammates' abilities, she hopes to be the right piece Washington needs to make it back to Oklahoma City in 2023.


“I’ve been to the WCWS twice and I think me being at my previous school and what I did for them, I can bring it to Washington, but it’s also what the team can bring here,” Hobson said. “I can only do so much as an individual, but the team really has to pull together. We are already so close and that’s one of the biggest things.”


She has already made important connections with several players that keep the line of communication on the field strong. Working with infielder Megan Vandegrift and fellow outfielder Sami Reynolds has made UW an easy place for Hobson to grow.


“Megan Vandegrift and Sami Reynolds are a big part of why I am so comfortable (at UW),” Hobson said. “They are always talking to me and making sure I know what I’m doing. I am still getting used to things and since Sami and I share left field, she is always in my ear and always talking. Those two have made the adjustment to softball so much easier.”


Coming in as a slapper, Hobson has been able to step into a role-model position with the upperclassmen as well as for some of the freshmen. Their openness to learn has made Hobson excited to be a leader.


“We have been able to help the freshmen so much,” Hobson said. “We will work on hitting together, especially bunting. There are other freshmen who are slappers, and since I am too, we work really hard together. I like helping the freshmen because they are so new and so willing to learn.”


The biggest difference Hobson has had to adjust to at Washington is the structure of practice, but she finds that the healthy balance of drills has positively impacted her mentally.


“Practices are so much more structured and not dragged out,” Hobson said. “We are going to do it right and once we do it right, we are moving on. We are not going to exhaust the drill. It’s so nice because once you get it right and keep going, you feel good about yourself. You leave the day feeling good about yourself and that makes you want to come back the next day and do it again.”


As the fall season comes to a close, Hobson is not only looking forward to chasing a national championship, but also to getting the opportunity to soak up the fun that college softball can bring behind the scenes.


“I am excited to experience traveling with the team,” Hobson said. “Games and stuff are cool and fun, but traveling is where you spend all your time together and get the closest. We start our season off on the road for a ton of time, so I am excited to get started.”

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