Jenn Smith named VDN’s 2024 Softball Player of the Year

Warren Central High School’s Jenn Smith has been selected as the VDN 2024 Softball Player of the Year.

After her stats slipped as a junior in 2023, Smith made it her mission to go harder in 2024 as a senior. She bounced back and did everything she claimed she would and became the top hitter in Warren County while leading the Lady Vikes to the second round of the playoffs.

From her junior to senior year, Smith put in some major work to accomplish her goals which resulted in her finishing with a .433 batting average, 39 hits, and 34 RBIs. After softball practice, Smith would drive an hour to Rayville, Louisiana for hitting lessons; a testiment to her dedication to improve.

“I was upset because I didn’t do as well in my junior year so I told myself that I would have to work twice as hard this year,” Smith said.

2024 wasn’t special only because of Smith’s statistics, but she also helped WC secure wins over teams like Germantown, Florence, and Grenada. She had one of her best performances against Florence where she went 3 for 5 with four RBIs.

“This year went better than expected because when we lost Abby(Abby Morgan 2023 pitcher) we thought we wouldn’t do as good but it turned out great,” Smith said.

Jenn was not only a dominant force at-bat, but she had no trouble fielding the ball at the centerfield position and stopped many batters from earning hits.

Before the start of the season, Smith set a goal of becoming VDN’s Softball Player of the Year, and through hard work and dedication, she achieved everything she aimed for as a senior.

Smith’s stardom didn’t begin during her final season. As an eighth grader in 2020, she racked up 34 hits at Porter’s Chapel Academy where they advanced to the MAIS Championship. At WC, Smith had eight hits as a freshman, 33 as a sophomore, 26 as a junior, and 37 hits as a senior. She finished her career with 138 hits. 

“I hoped and prayed it would be that good but I wanted to be the best so that’s what I shot for,” Smith said.

All good things come to an end, but Smith’s softball days are far from finished as she will be playing at Northwest Mississippi Community College.

“I’m more ready for next Spring than last Spring,” Smith added.

Jenn made the All-District team the last three years and she is the fourth athlete to ever win this award.