WORCESTER, Mass. – Following an outstanding 2016 season, Worcester State University's junior softball star Sydney Despres (Sterling, Mass.) has been named to the 2017 Fastpitch News NCAA Division III Preseason All-American Team, as announced by Fastpitch News Tuesday morning.
Despres was an offensive force for the Lancers in 2016, helping Worcester State capture its second-consecutive Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) regular-season title and also an appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament.
The sophomore finished the regular season in the top-10 of numerous batting categories throughout the NCAA Division III. She was 2nd in the nation in hits (81), home runs (17), and slugging percentage (.987). She notched 4th place in the country in home runs per game (0.37) and in runs batted in (62). She also was top-10 nation-wide in batting average (.519) and in doubles (20).
"Syd is one of those players that puts the work in and gets the results," stated head coach Michelle Cote. "She doesn't just expect to be able to hit - she sets herself up for success to be in the position to make hitting look easy."
"Syd is always the batter's biggest fan and always cheering on her teammates which is an admirable trait for underclassmen to see from a high performing athlete who does not settle for mediocrity," said assistant coach Kaitlyn Roy.
Last season, Despres was named to the NFCA Division III All-New England Regional First Team. She also headlined both the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) and MASCAC teams as she was tabbed Player of the Year in both conferences.
"Sydney's humble attitude and love for the game are the qualities that make her stand out on and off the field," commented Roy. "She is constantly trying to bestow this attitude on her fellow teammates by picking them up when they are in a slump or keeping things light in the dugout."
"Sydney has been chosen as one of the captains of the 2017 team and is already leading by example with her off season workouts," said Cote.
"As her coach, I am very excited to get the season going and see what Sydney will accomplish this year," said Cote. "She has intensified her off season workouts to ensure she will being the running for the All-American team in 2017."
Cote concluded, "I know Sydney has high expectations for the team this year but even higher expectations for herself and I look forward to see where that heart and desire will take us."