Senath-Hornersville 'all-around athlete' seeks to keep honors coming

Senath-Hornersville with Southland sophomore softball standout Kylie Walker didn’t lack recognition following her outstanding spring season in leading the Lions to their bounce-back season. However, the honors may continue this month, as she is a candidate for Player of the Year at the upcoming Semoball Awards.

“She is just an all-around athlete,” Lions coach Melani Rooney said of Walker following this spring.

Walker not only was very solid on the mound for Senath-Hornersville but also crushed 15 home runs this season.

“Kylie can bring anything to the table,” Rooney said.

Walker earned the Bootheel Conference Player of the Year honor, as well as was selected to the All-Class 2 District 1 Tournament Team, which was made even more impressive because she battled a shoulder injury through the tournament.

“I kept asking her over and over if she wanted to come out,” Rooney said, “but she kept saying no. That just speaks volumes for how she is as a player.”

The roster make-up of the Lions also “speaks volumes” for where the program is headed.

Senath-Hornersville won 15 games, which matched the most victories, perhaps in program history, and it battled eventual District champion Malden hard before falling 4-3 in the tournament.

The Lions, which won just eight games in 2022, did not have a senior in the lineup against the Green Wave.

“It was the buy-in with them,” Rooney said of her young team. “Just getting them to believe in themselves and what they can do.

“I told them all season that they were capable of doing anything.”

“Anything” like winning the Bootheel Conference Tournament with a stunning 18-6 thumping of powerhouse Kennett.

The Indians, who ultimately won 23 games, and had beaten Senath-Hornersville 9-1 weeks earlier, had advanced to six MSHSAA Final Fours in the previous eight seasons prior to this spring but were still formidable this year.

“Late in the season,” Rooney said, “we grew and matured.”

Walker joins a returning group that includes starters Kaya Horton (shortstop), Jada Burlison (left field), Annabelle Carlisle (catcher), Emma Sample (first base), Ebbi Fuwell (third base), Lyvana Reyes (center field), Halle Jamerson, and Brennan Lane (second base).

“I have a lot of confidence in them,” Rooney said. “We’re all coming back, and we can build on that.”

Rooney is a fan of the combined group of Rebels and Lions.

“It is good for both programs,” Rooney said. “Having them together (and) we’re both small schools. Other schools don’t like us to be together. I don’t know if it is because we are a powerhouse or what, but it is nice to have some other kids who can play with us.

“If we didn’t take them in, then (the Southland kids) wouldn’t have had a season.”