VanDamme, Jarzion and Olson named to All-WIAC softball team

The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference has announced its all-conference softball team, and senior outfielder Taylor VanDamme was named to the All-WIAC first team.

It’s the third time that VanDamme has been named to the All-WIAC first team, having also received the honor in 2010 and 2011. VanDamme played her freshman season at the University of Minnesota Duluth and transferred to UWS in 2009.

“Taylor has meant so much to our program over the last three years,” UWS coach Roger Plachta said. “At the plate she can hit for average, hit for power, uses the whole field, she just does it all. Her defense gets overlooked sometimes, though. She’s a very good player in the field, too.

“She’s just such a complete softball player. She deserves to be an all-conference player.”

VanDamme was the offensive catalyst for the Yellowjackets in her senior season, leading the team in batting average (.391), at bats (110), runs (27), hits (43), triples (10), home runs (4), RBIs (22), total bases (77), slugging percentage (.700) and stolen bases (8). Defensively, VanDamme patrolled the Yellowjacket outfield and finished the year second on the team in fielding percentage (.982).

For her career, VanDamme played 108 games for the Yellowjackets, posting a batting average of .394 with 17 home runs and 83 RBIs. She was the top hitter for the Yellowjackets in two of her three seasons.

In addition to VanDamme’s honor, seniors Chelsey Jarzin and Ashlee Olson received All-WIAC honorable mention. Jarzin was also the UWS representative on the WIAC All-Sportsmanship Team.

“I couldn’t have asked for more out of these three players. They did everything I’ve asked of them and they were great leaders for the young players on our team,” Plachta said. “Losing the three of them to graduation will definitely leave some holes in our lineup, but it also gives some of our younger players and recruits a chance to step up and show what they can do.”

All three players graduated from Superior High School and are former Spartans.

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