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State Gazette Female Rookie of the Year for Dyer County High School: Lady Choctaw Kierstyn Ray
Thursday, July 18, 2024
Dyer County Lady Choctaw Kierstyn Ray
JASON PEEVYHOUSE
Getting to start as a freshman can be a rare occurrence, especially on a state tournament-level team. Getting to start on two teams like that and make an impact is even more rare. Dyer County’s Kierstyn Ray did just that this year and has been named the State Gazette Female Rookie of the Year for Dyer County High School.
The honor from the State Gazette is not the first the Lady Choctaw freshman picked up during Ray’s first year at the high school level. After helping the Lady Choctaws to their third straight TSSAA Class AA State Tournament in volleyball, Ray was a key part of Dyer County’s run to the state semifinals in softball. Along the way, Ray earned the District 13AAA Rookie of the Year award as well as an all-tournament selection. Her freshman season culminated by being named to the Tennessee Softball Coaches Association All-State Team in Class AAA.
Dyer County’s Shanna O’Bright had the privilege of being on the sidelines for both seasons for a front row view of Ray’s freshman year.
“Just the athleticism of the kid,” O’Bright explained. “You can’t say enough about it.
“To step in as a freshman and run the setter role – which is not an easy role to run – is incredible. And then, to step into a centerfield position also as a freshman with the leadoff role on top of that and be as successful as she was doing all of those things. Wow! She’s a competitor and a true athlete.”
Through the course of the fall volleyball season, O’Bright said Ray was able to grow in her serving as well as her ball placement.
“Consistent play at a much higher level is something that isn’t always easy for a freshman to step in and do,” O’Bright said.
Much like in the fall, Ray only stepped off the softball field sparingly, if at all. That’s a lot of innings for a freshman – especially in key roles like centerfield and leadoff batter.
“Just the sheer athleticism of the kid is one thing,” O’Bright added. “But she is smart.
“She knows how to read the game. She knows the game inside and out – both of them. She had a tremendous freshman year.”
As O’Bright was quick to add, this sets the bar pretty high for the remainder of her high school career.
“Now, the challenge for her is making the next year better than the one she started out with,” the Lady Choctaw head coach said. “She set the bar very high for herself.
“But, with her work ethic, she’s going to get in there and continue to work. We’re going to see where we can go for that one.”
The bar has been set pretty high in softball now for Ray. As a freshman, Ray lead the team in batting average (.401), hits (65), triples (2), runs scored (39), stolen bases (11) and on base percentage (.443). In the field, her fielding percentage was .976, good for third on the team.
Through the course of her year, she grew past the level a freshman should be playing at.
“For some of them, I think it’s hard to understand that, at the plate, you’re not going to be successful all the time,” O’Bright said. “But, she did a very good job of mixing it up. Laying down a bunt, slapping.
“Next year, we’re working on adding the element of power so she’ll be even more of a threat at the plate.”
Ray’s speed came in handy during both sports, too.
“As a setter, you have to be able to get to the ball,” Dyer County’s head coach said. “And, there were some plays she made out there in centerfield that were amazing.
“I think she scored 39 times this year. Her speed on the bases is also something to be impressed by.”
Getting the all-state selection was a big honor, according to her head coach.
“That’s a big award for a freshman,” O’Bright added. “When you put up the numbers that she did, it’s well-deserved.
“I’m very excited to see where she goes from her freshman year.”