Mueller named Group 3A state softball Player of the Year; Bates gets nod as Coach of the Year

Recent New Kent High School graduate McKenna Mueller has been named the Group 3A State Softball Player of the Year.

Mueller batted .488 with 42 hits, 32 RBIs, and crossed home plate 40 times. Of her hits, eight were doubles, three were triples, and three were home runs.

Mueller, as the state player of the year, was named to the VHSL Group 3A State first team. Three of her teammates also received the accolade as members of the first team. Junior Morgan Berg was selected as a pitcher, Norah Murray received recognition as an outfielder, and Hannah Tober was named as an at-large/utility player.

In addition to the four players, Lady Trojan Head Coach Maria Bates was named as the Group 3A State Coach of the Year. Bates guided the team to a 25-1 record, capturing New Kent High School’s first state championship in softball.