Lily Henry signing

By EASportsToday.com
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Updated: December 10, 2024

Pleasant Valley’s Henry didn’t want to choose between volleyball and softball, will play both at Gadsden State.

Video by Joe Medley

By Joe Medley
East Alabama Sports Today

PLEASANT VALLEY — Lily Henry didn’t want to choose between volleyball and softball for a college sport. Fortunately for her, she didn’t have to.

The Pleasant Valley senior celebrated on Tuesday her signing to play both sports for Gadsden State Community College.

She chose Gadsden State over her other option, a chance to play volleyball and Snead State.

“I was a little surprised that they offered me to play both, because I’d never heard of that before,” she said. “Some people have done it.

“I had to do a lot of thinking about it at first, but right around volleyball season this year, I was like, ‘I cannot choose.’ I love both of the sports equally.”

Her credentials show she can play both sports.

She was back-to-back most valuable player of the Class 2A state volleyball tournament, helping Pleasant Valley win back-to-back state titles. She also helped the Raiders to a runner-up finish in 2022.

She’s the reigning Class 1A-3A All-Calhoun County player of the year in volleyball.

A starter since seventh grade in softball, she has several all-county all-state selections.

In volleyball, Henry finished her high school career with 2,044 kills, 1,883 digs, 303 aces and 248 blocks. Entering her senior softball season, she’s approaching 200 games played, 300 hits, 200 runs and 400 innings pitched.

Her signing-day memorabilia featured a softball glove and volleyball with pictures of her playing both. A sign to the right of the head table read, “Lily Henry, dual signed,” with a volleyball on the left and softball on the right.

“Realistically, there was a moment where I thought I was going to have to choose,” she said. “I just couldn’t.”

Tuesday’s ceremony included tributes from Pleasant Valley head softball coach David Bryant and head volleyball coach Jennifer Mann.

Dana Bryant, who retired as volleyball coach after the 2023 season, spoke up from the back of the crowd of assembled coaches and teammates in Pleasant Valley High’s library with a personal tribute as Lily’s mother, Amanda Henry, wiped away tears.

“I can’t talk about Lily without getting emotional,” she said. “Too know Lily is to love her. If you’re in this room, you’ve been blessed to be touched by her life and to be a part of her journey. She leaves the room full of smiles when she’s been there. …

“One thing I can say about Lily, whether it’s on the field, whether it’s on the court, whether it’s in the classroom, you get all of Lily. You get 110 percent. She puts everything she has into what she does, and you’re not going to find anybody with more heart, more passion and more drive.”