Athlete Spotlight: - Kristi Nichols, Brittany Leverett and Amanda Glover

When Greenbrier High School softball coach Garrett Black looks out on the diamond, he sees stars.

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Infielders Brittany Leverett, Amanda Glover and Kristi Nichols shine with their defensive excellence, but to Black, there's more than meets the eye.

"The thing I like about all three of them is how they carry themselves on and off the field, and what they bring to the team leadership-wise," Black said. "They're a great example for our student body."

Greenbrier's talented trio hone their softball skills by playing fastpitch year-round, and when they aren't fielding grounders or shagging fly balls, they can normally be found in the weight room pumping iron.

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"The thing about them is they way they prepare. I can't tell you how many fungoes we hit them," Black said. "Sometimes at practice they stay out here until we make them leave."

Greenbrier softball players Amanda Glover (From left), Brittany Leverett and Kristi Nichols

Photo by Jim Blaylock

The Lady Wolfpack players are just doing what comes naturally at the Brierpatch.

"When we come to Greenbrier, we're just like a big family. I just come out to be with a good group of girls and play a sport that I love," Glover said. "We just have fun, play hard, and hope that we win some big ball games."

Glover is a slick-fielding second baseman for the Lady Pack. The sophomore is also versatile at the plate, but there's nothing she loves more than making a diving catch to steal a sure base hit.

"Defense is challenging," she said. "It's a fun part of the game for me to see if I can make the play and help the team out."

Nichols takes the same approach. The junior first baseman hauls in anything that comes her way, and she loves to drive in runs, but winning is what really drives her.

"We all take pride in our individual play, but the main thing we think about it improving as a team," Nichols said. "We've worked hard, and we've seen the talent that's come through here in the past. We're a tradition-based organization, and we've seen what it takes to get the job done."

Leverett anchors the middle infield at her shortstop position. On offense, she supplies power hitting and aggressive baserunning, and the sophomore isn't going to slow down until the Lady Wolfpack reaches their ultimate destination.

"We want to win a state championship," Leverett said. "In order to do that we have to work hard, give it our all, and have confidence. We're up for every game, and we never take any team lightly."