Two-Sport Star

Lillian Leiner Balances Softball, Volleyball

The Frankfort gymnasium is shaking with the roar from the crowd, as the Royals and Crown Point Bulldogs are at a match point, with the Royals need just one more point to advance to the State Championship. Senior Lillian Leiner prepares to storm the court with her teammates. As soon as the ball is served, she knows something special is about to happen. Seconds later, that something special happens as the ball is slammed on the court. Leiner and the Royals are headed to State.

Two years ago, when Leiner was a sophomore, she had just finished her first season of varsity softball. But it was right after the season ended when she received some very big news. The news didn’t involve softball, it revolved around a sport that was in-season six months ago: volleyball.

“I was excited when I received my first scholarship offer,” Leiner said. “It was unexpected since it was before the season started, instead of during the season.”

Leiner knew that more offers would most likely follow, which meant she was going to have to play more volleyball. The problem was that the only other option was club volleyball, which occurs during the softball season. It was an extremely difficult decision for Leiner, whether to quit one of the two sports or still play both.

“I decided to do both club volleyball and high school softball,” Leiner said. “But my parents told me that softball would still come first.”

It’s already a massive commitment for someone to be a two-sport high school athlete, but to play two sports during the same season is a whole other level. That commitment hasn’t gone unnoticed to her coaches.

“Her hard work and dedication make her a leader on the team,” JV softball coach Emily Kitchen said. “Her competitiveness drives the team to achieve more.”

Overall, Leiner’s decision has paid off hugely. She was a major factor for the softball team last year as a starter in the outfield. At the same time, she announced her commitment to Northern Kentucky University for volleyball. In Leiner’s next volleyball season, she was a defensive specialist on the first Royals volleyball team that went to State. Overall, the decision for Leiner paid off in a way she couldn’t have imagined.