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Washington Montessori Public High School senior Chloe Boyd sat at center court in the school’s gymnasium Wednesday afternoon surrounded by family, students and faculty members as she committed to play softball at Maryville College in suburban Knoxville, TN. in the fall.

Almost the entire high school class of around 70 students filled the bleachers to watch Boyd accept the Scots offer to pitch, play first base and the outfield starting next fall.

The Plymouth, N.C. resident has made the 30-minute trip to WMPHS since elementary school and plays volleyball and basketball for the Eagles, but the school doesn’t have a softball team.

She plays for the TEACH Homeschool Trailblazers in the spring and year-round for the Carolina Flames travel team.

“I love coming to school here, so it’s fine that we don’t have a softball team,” Boyd said. “The academic environment is outstanding and my teachers are wonderful. They’ve taught me to be independent and to have confidence to be ambitious.”

The ambition to play college softball culminated with a visit to the suburban Knoxville campus after also considering Agnes Scott College, Methodist and Chowan among others.

“Maryville felt the most like home after all my visits,” Boyd said. “I love the campus and I had met the coaches at some travel tournaments. They told me next year would be a development year for me, but that I had a chance to start as a sophomore, so I’m excited about that.”

Boyd’s spring season with the Trailblazers comes first and her long-time coach Bill Waters will miss her.

“I put her at catcher when she was eight, because she was the only one who could stop the ball,” Waters said. “She’s my coach on the field now and has a tremendous team-first attitude. She brings the rest of them up to her level instead of looking down on the younger ones. She is excellent in all phases of softball and I’m proud of her.”

Maryville is coming off a 6-18 season after going 9-1 in the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season and were 29-11 in 2019. They compete in the Division III USA South Athletic Conference.

Boyd plans to major in Psychology and wants to become a Child Life Specialist.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to play college softball and look forward to getting started,” Boyd said.” I’m thankful to my family, coaches, teammates and friends for helping me get there.”