Herbert Hoover has been one of West Virginiaòòò½ÊÓƵ™s most successful high school softball programs since 2014.
The Huskies have won six Class AA state softball titles during that span.
Herbert Hoover has also produced multiple state player of the year winners during that time in Allison Rager (2014) and Delani Buckner (2019).
The latest name added to that list is pitcher Laila Varney.
Varney was tabbed as the 2024 state softball player of the year, selected by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.
The senior pitcher capped off her final year by going 18-2, striking out 229 batters and pitching an 0.80 ERA in the circle.
She was also effective at the plate by batting .480, hitting four home runs and driving home 25 runners.
òòò½ÊÓƵœOne word that sums up Laila and how successful she was at Hoover is perseverance,òòò½ÊÓƵ Hebert Hoover coach Missy Smith said. òòò½ÊÓƵœShe wasnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t able to play her sophomore year, and had some injuries in the preseason of her junior year. She pushed through all of that and made sure that when she came in as a senior, she was healthy. She was ready to work from the time I got her.
òòò½ÊÓƵœHer hard work really paid off this year because she was able to have the whole offseason and excel.òòò½ÊÓƵ
The hard work and determination that Varney pieced together throughout her Herbert Hoover career paid off for her.
òòò½ÊÓƵœGoing into the season, I didnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t think I would be here,òòò½ÊÓƵ Varney said. òòò½ÊÓƵœItòòò½ÊÓƵ™s really special, definitely.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Her effectiveness in the circle made it difficult for batters to hit or get on base.
Varney proved herself as one of the best pitchers in the state early in the season with her performance in the Guard the Capital Invitational at GoMart Ballpark against St. Albans.
Varney pitched 5 2/3 innings while striking out 12 batters and allowing one hit. She didnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t walk a Red Dragons batter.
òòò½ÊÓƵœI took [everything] game-by-game and pitch-by-pitch [this season],òòò½ÊÓƵ Varney said. òòò½ÊÓƵœThroughout the season, my pitches were really working and spinning well. Thatòòò½ÊÓƵ™s what helped me.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Smith took a different approach when asked how sheòòò½ÊÓƵ™s seen the senior leader grow in her time with the Huskies.
òòò½ÊÓƵœShe became more of a vocal leader,òòò½ÊÓƵ Smith said. òòò½ÊÓƵœThatòòò½ÊÓƵ™s something that our seniors grow into. Thankfully, we have been blessed with so many good players, and watching them grow from the first day we get them to the last makes it fun. Itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s more than softball. Itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s been a joy watching her grow into a vocal leader and someone thatòòò½ÊÓƵ™s comfortable.
òòò½ÊÓƵœYouòòò½ÊÓƵ™re not going to make everybody happy and people are going to hate you. To watch her embrace that role was a nice thing for us.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Varneyòòò½ÊÓƵ™s eye-popping statistics and play in the circle captured the eyes of the University of Charleston.
The Herbert Hoover pitcher was unsure what her future held or where she wanted to go. So, she took everything like how she does her games òòò½ÊÓƵ” one step at a time.
òòò½ÊÓƵœAt first, I didnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t really want to stay close to home,òòò½ÊÓƵ Varney said. òòò½ÊÓƵœIt seemed like a good opportunity. I plan on trying to help them out pitching-wise.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Smith thinks UC will get a great return on investment with Varney once she gets acclimated to the culture and tradition of Golden Eagles softball.
òòò½ÊÓƵœShe has a high energy and is a hard worker,òòò½ÊÓƵ Smith said. òòò½ÊÓƵœI know it sounds cliche and whatever, but sheòòò½ÊÓƵ™s a coachòòò½ÊÓƵ™s dream as far as that goes. Sheòòò½ÊÓƵ™ll attack workouts and will push her teammates to be better, which is like an X-factor. Everybody that plays in college wants to be good and has drive, but when you want your teammates to succeed, then thatòòò½ÊÓƵ™s what puts you over the top as a college athlete.òòò½ÊÓƵ
The accolades, accomplishments and statistics will be out there forever.
However, Varney is more appreciative of her relationship with Smith over anything else.
òòò½ÊÓƵœSheòòò½ÊÓƵ™s always believed in me since I first transferred here,òòò½ÊÓƵ Varney said of Smith. òòò½ÊÓƵœI couldnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t thank her enough for that. Sheòòò½ÊÓƵ™s given me so many opportunities. Last year was the first year Iòòò½ÊÓƵ™ve ever pitched in a state tournament. She believed in me, and it worked. Everything went well.òòò½ÊÓƵ
The award is sponsored by Wallyòòò½ÊÓƵ™s and Wimpyòòò½ÊÓƵ™s Sports Digest.