Fate takes White to Sioux Falls

Louisburg High School senior Miranda White signed her letter of intent on Wednesday to play softball at the University of Sioux Falls in Sioux Falls, S.D. Sitting next to Miranda are her parents Jason and Kim White. Standing (from left) is former Louisburg softball coach Kristi Weers, Miranda’s sister Jaleigh White, Phenix coach Mike Reese and brother Macyn White.

As Miranda White dashed after a fly ball in the outfield, the Louisburg High School senior made a running catch at the fence and then caught a runner going home for a double play during a club game in the fall with her Lawrence Phenix club team.

It was one of those highlight reel type of plays. As it turned out, she couldn’t have picked a better time to do it.

Just one field over, University of Sioux Falls softball coach Kelsey Thompson was watching a different game. Thompson didn’t even know who White was at time. She turned her head in time to catch White’s defensive gem.

Needless to say, Thompson knew a lot about White after that.

Thompson invited White up for a visit to the Sioux Falls, S.D., campus, and shortly after, she made her decision. It became official Wednesday as she signed her letter of intent to play for Cougars, an NCAA Division II program.

“It is really exciting because I finally reached my goals that I set a long time ago,” White said. “I think it was fate. We got there and their campus was amazing. All their stuff is indoors and they are going to dome their softball field. The coaches were super down to earth and right then I knew that it was for me.”

Thompson liked what she saw out of White in that fall club game, and liked her even more when she learned more about her game.

“Miranda is an incredible example of perfect timing and how you sometimes need a little luck in softball,” Thompson said. “We saw Miranda playing this past fall playing opposite one of our signees and her talent simple could not go unnoticed. Miranda possesses much needed speed and power as we move forward next season and she will only continue to develop as she plays for an amazing organization and coaching staff in the Lawrence area.

“She plays with a very gritty passion and leads her team to do the same every time she steps on the field. With an incredible arm and incredible range in the outfield, Miranda has an opportunity to push our teammates to another level the minute she gets to campus. We greatly look forward to the offensive and defensive power and style of play Miranda brings to the Cougar softball program and cannot wait to begin working with her on a daily basis next fall.”

White led the Louisburg softball team last season in several different categories, which included a .703 batting average to go along with 17 stolen bases and a perfect fielding percentage from her centerfield spot. She also finished with 22 hits, four doubles, two home runs and five RBIs.

She also had a .586 average with her Phenix team and has been a part of multiple state titles.

White will join a Sioux Falls program that went 32-23 a season ago in the Cougars’ second year under Thompson.

“The coaches were down to earth and you could tell they just weren’t going to say the things you wanted them to,” White said. “Everyone was super friendly and I felt at home and I know they are going to take care of me.”

With the weight of signing off of her shoulders, White can now focus on the task at hand – which is a big one. She wants to make an impact on the Cougars right away and is ready to put in the work.

“They told me you earn your spot, and my goal is to start as a freshman and I am definitely going to work hard to make that happen,” White said. “I don’t want to sit on the bench.”

Miranda is the daughter of Jason and Kim White. She is planning on majoring in life science.