Brianna Peters has made a name for herself as a key player on Valliant High School’s softball team. A junior, Brianna plays shortstop but has the versatility to handle any position on the field, with the exception of pitcher. Her journey in softball began when she was in the fifth grade, practicing on a field at home with her brother’s team. “Doing this is the whole reason I started playing softball,” she recalled.
Brianna’s work ethic is something she’s proud of, and she attributes much of her perseverance to her family. “My biggest influences are my parents. Watching them get through rough times no matter what it is, inspires me to never give up, keep fighting and work hard for everything.” This drive to succeed has helped Brianna develop into a leader on the field, where she takes her role seriously. “I prepare by getting my mind right every day and being prepared to lift my teammates up whenever they need it.”
The team chemistry at Valliant this year is especially strong, something that Brianna attributes to the culture of trust, communication and respect the players have built. “We’re like a group of sled dogs, as coach Tommy Howard says,” Brianna mentioned. After coming so close to the state tournament last year, she and her teammates are determined to go all the way in 2024. “We were one game away from going to the state tournament last fall, and this year, you will see us there.”
Brianna has overcome her fair share of challenges, including the heartbreaking loss of her grandparents during the season. “That was the hardest thing that I had to come back from,” she said. To honor them, she now wears angels on her visors as a reminder that they are watching over her.
Looking ahead, Brianna hopes to continue playing softball in college, with dreams of eventually reaching the Division I level. “After I graduate, I plan on going to a junior college starting out and continuing my softball career, then hopefully transferring to a bigger school to live out my childhood dream of playing D-I softball.”
