Iowa Lakes Community College players, Desiree Lopez and Kenlee Frank, have signed to continue their athletic and academic careers at NAIA Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Missouri.
Desiree Lopez is the daughter of Melany Lopez and Jose Lopez. She is from Redlands, California, where she graduated from Citrus Valley High School. A 4' 9" slapper, Lopez batted .309 in her career as a Blackhawk. She had a 95% fielding percentage, with 106 assists, 10 put outs, and 7 double plays.
Desiree had this to say, "I never thought I would move so far away from home. I then had the opportunity to visit Iowa Lakes, and I thought it would be a great fit. I am so glad I made the decision to further my education and got the opportunity to meet such amazing friends. I would like to thank my coaches for giving me the opportunity to continue my education while continuing to play the sport I love. When I first started looking at schools to continue at, I was looking closer to home. Once I visited Missouri Valley I thought it was going to be a great fit. The values the school had were similar to my own. The small town and the coaching staff made me feel at home. I am very excited to see where Missouri Valley takes me both academically and athletically."
In her first six games this season, Lopez is batting .261. She has six hits, six runs scored, and stole two bases. She also has a .913 fielding percentage with 17 putouts.
Coach Larson had this to say about Desiree, "This kid works her tail off every time she comes to practice. She is a role model to every Laker that comes through this program on what hard work and dedication looks like and how it can pay off. Desiree has improved a ton from last year to this year not only in her skills, but her confidence on the field. She commands attention from her opponents and is going to come up huge in some pressure situations for us this year."
Kenlee Frank is the daughter of Kenny Frank and Lonna Frank. She is from Greeley, Colorado, where she graduated from Greeley West High School. She was a four-year letter winner for the Spartans as a catcher and third baseman. In her senior campaign, she posted a .407 batting average. She has 23 hits, including 10 doubles, 3 triples, and 2 homeruns, 17 runs batted in, and a .418 on-base percentage.
Kenlee had this to say, "Being a part of the Iowa Lakes Softball Program was a huge honor and beginning my softball and academic careers at a junior college was the best decision I made. I owe a huge thanks to Katie and Taylor for always pushing and encouraging me to do the best, and never giving up on me. I knew Missouri Valley was going to be my next home because of how welcoming the coaches and the campus felt. Being able to continue my softball career with one of my teammates make is that much better."
Due to an injury, Frank did not play her academic freshman year at Iowa Lakes. In her first six games this season, Frank is batting .316 with six hits, including four doubles. She has batted in three runs and crossed the plate five runs herself. Kenlee is also the secretary and treasurer for the Iowa Lakes Student Senate on the Estherville Campus.
"Kenlee is an awesome human being and player. As a person, Kenlee quickly earned the respect of her teammates and coaches. She has the fun loving personality to put any person in a good mood and works every day. Her teammates quickly looked to her to be a leader on this team. As a player, Kenlee is powerful. She does not miss hit very often. She drives the ball to the power alleys and has a cannon behind the plate. I cannot wait to finally see what Kenlee can do in a Laker uniform this year." Said Coach Larson.
These two have embodied what it means to be a servant leader. They understand that being a college athlete, they are privileged and have a ton people looking at them to be role models. They have taken this spotlight and ran with it. They spend time in the local elementary school every week, have helped with a mobile food drive in Estherville, help out with events around campus, and have given Toys for Tots.
"Both of these young women have integrity. They are not only ball players, but great people. They are the first people to volunteer to help their teammates, coaches, school and community. They have definitely left their mark on Iowa Lakes Softball and will be greatly missed next year. We wish them both the best of luck at Missouri Valley, but once a Laker, always a Laker!" Commented Coach Larson.