Hundreds welcome home the champs! - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

For the first time ever the Valdosta State softball team has won a national championship. It was a 4-1 victory in Louisville on Saturday against defending champs UC San Diego. All this after losing its opening game of the tournament but VSU never looked back.  On Sunday hundreds welcomed back their team that went to Kentucky and made history.

It was a return fit for a king and indeed they did return as royalty.  The band of winners were back from a journey which was just as long in distance as it was in the pursuit of perfection.

Blazers infielder Sam Posey said "We all keep saying that we're getting so old that we just cry about everything but its definitely tears of joy. Its an awesome feeling"

Infielder Marti Littlefield said "It's a crazy feeling its like none other. I'm so thankful that they are here and I'm so thankful that we have the fans that we do. All there support. It contributed a lot this year."

They were a group of 27 from all walks of life and found solace in a game which they have now conquered. And now each name to be forever etched as the first to be called the nations best at Valdosta St.

Pitcher Alaana Hadley said "You know we prayed about it and we knew that we were the best team there and we just had to put it together and fight"

Utility player Natalia Morozova said "The big thing about us is that we never lost the faith and we always believed that we can win the whole thing and we never gave up we were always fighting until the end."

So now as Winnersville USA adds another member to its most coveted class of champions, the Lady Blazers venture off as the sun sets on another season.  The seniors, on to next challenge and what  the game of life has to offer.  As for the rest they'll back having tasted the sweet sensation of success

Posey said "It's what you play for winning a national championship"

Hadley said "I'll remember this for the rest of my life"

Littlefield said "We kept our eye on the prize, we made it."

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