Ava Franz has experienced it all during her four years with Villanova’s softball team, one of the top programs in the Big East, writes Katie Lewis for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The senior shortstop has gone from third base to second to shortstop.
“[Franz] has played almost every infield position,” Villanova head coach Bridget Orchard said. “She can do a little bit of everything, and her competitive fire helps, too. People feed off her energy because she’s very loud and emotional and gets revved up.”
Franz is also leading at the plate, batting .357 with a team record this season of 42 RBIs
Franz, an All-Big East honoree, helped the team last season on its historic run to an NCAA regional final.
“I‘ve probably been called intense,” Franz said. “But I‘ve really focused on just having fun this year, and just having experience has helped me be more calm.”
Franz is a Chichester High School graduate who committed to Villanova as a high school sophomore.
She also played basketball and soccer at Chichester but saw herself early on playing collegiate softball near her native Aston, influencing her decision to go to Villanova.
Read more about her impact on the team and her reliance on family in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
