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Washington High School shortstop Ava Mizell will continue her career at Chowan University in Murfreesboro, N.C., but she has unfinished business on the high school field to attend to first.

Mizell helped the Pam Pack to an undefeated regular season, the East championship and a spot in the 2A state championship series in Chapel Hill last spring and she’d like a return trip.

“I’m very excited about playing college softball at Chowan, but I’m also super locked in on our season here,” Mizell said. “We lost some good players, but we’ve worked hard in the off-season to get ready.”

Mizell will play for first-year coach Junior Bailey, who came from Barton College in Wilson by way of Pitt Community College, where Mizell’s step-mother, Kendra, worked.

“He’s known about Ava since she was about 12 and really wanted her to come play for him,” said Washington coach Brad Horton. “He’s getting someone who works hard and who her teammates will follow. She’s vocal and will be in the middle of everything either at shortstop or center field. Ava starts our offense from the leadoff spot in the order and she’s comfortable in that spot.”

Mizell hit .409 with seven home runs and 24 runs batted in. She scored 46 runs and 22 of her 36 hits went for extra bases.

She was stellar in the field as well with four errors in 61 chances.

“I liked my visit (to Chowan) and I’m looking forward to playing for Coach Bailey,” Mizell said. “I’d like to stay at shortstop, but I’ll play wherever they need me. It will be a fun four years, but right now I’m looking forward to enjoying my senior season here.”