Senior Spotlight: Davis reaps wisdom from adversity as return to field awaits

Three-sport athlete Brianna Davis continues to be at the top of her game as the fall and spring seasons get underway. Davis recently finished her senior basketball season but now looks forward to more success with volleyball and softball. After experiencing multiple setbacks and injuries, Davis continues to work hard, always having her eyes on the prize. 

Varsity softball coach Tim Kohl has watched her achieve vast success despite these mishaps.

“It has been tough for Brianna,” he said. “Her freshman year she was first-team all-conference in the FVA and she batted close to .500, making her one of the leading hitters in the state. How do you top that? So, she set the bar super high. Unfortunately, she had a knee injury her sophomore year, and of course, COVID-19 her junior year. But, all of the coaches and players look forward to the possibilities that Brianna brings to the team this year.”

Davis has overcome challenge after challenge, but it taught her to be disciplined while gaining a whole new perspective from the bench.

photo courtesy of Brianna Davis

Senior Brianna Davis is getting ready on defense. Davis is a three-sport athlete who has recovered from potential career-ending injuries. Photo courtesy of Brianna Davis

“The biggest obstacle I have had to overcome was tearing my ACL sophomore year playing basketball,” she said. “This was a big challenge for me as I have been playing multiple sports year-round since I was six years old and after surgery I wasn’t able to play any sports for five months. As painful as it was to have to sit on the sidelines knowing I couldn’t play, I was able to learn a lot from watching my teammates and the things my coaches would say on the bench and in the dugout. This experience helped grow my appreciation for the sports I play because my life was completely different without them.”

Basketball teammate and senior Reese Lang sees Davis’s dedication and resilience pay off on the court and in the classroom.

“I would definitely describe Brianna as hardworking,” she said. “She is always so accountable for school and athletics; she never misses assignments or practices.”

Along with thriving in the classroom, Davis is a leader in all three of her sports, and takes time out of her busy schedule to help in these programs.

“Brianna is on varsity for basketball and volleyball as well as softball,” Kohl said. “Even though she is busy playing other sports, she does her best to help lead softball open gyms throughout the winter months. We expect her to bring the leadership and expertise she has learned in her other sports to softball this year.”

Volleyball teammate and senior Morgan Yenter sees Davis’ passion to succeed as the main factor that sets her apart from others.

“Brianna will always give 110% in whatever she does,” she said. “That’s what makes her such a great athlete, teammate, and person.”

With the softball season beginning, Kohl looks forward to Wildcat success, driven by Davis. 

“Everyone feels that we have a very good shot at going a long way in conference and in the playoff series, so we'll see how that goes,” he said. “It would be nice to put some new dates on the banner in the gym, and a trophy in the trophy case. Even though it's been a long time since anyone has played softball due to COVID-19, we have a core of returning Varsity players led by Brianna. We hope that experience will make a difference in close ball games and in a very tough season schedule.”

Davis looks ahead to her plans next year, as she will play softball at the collegiate level.

“Next year I am going to UW-Oshkosh to play softball and major in biology,” she said. “I am looking forward to playing as I have known the head coach for many years and I love the environment that he and the team create on the field.”

Kohl will miss Davis, as she has been an asset to the team for the past couple of years, but looks forward to her successes at UW-Oshkosh.

“Brianna is one of the original players that I had when I started coaching softball four years ago. Her mom has been my parent rep throughout that time, and her sister, Kendra, was a senior on my first softball team at West. I've had the pleasure getting to know Brianna and her family over her career. I will miss that connection but look forward to watching her career continue at UW-Oshkosh next year.”

Lang will cherish her memories with Davis over the years and looks to the past with fondness as Davis moves toward the future.

“My favorite memory with Brianna would be one of our team sleepovers sophomore year,” she said. “She is such a fun girl to hang out with and always has a smile on her face. Brianna is such a great teammate to play alongside and I will forever remember her.”

by Zade Alzoubi

Published March 25, 2021

Oshkosh West Index Volume 117 Issue VI