Published: July 15, 2008 11:57 pm         

Justice inks with Cougars

Mountain State University coach Tim Berry capped his 2008-09 class of signees, making Ashley Justice the latest Cougar.

Justice, a two-sport standout at Independence High, will play both volleyball and softball for Berry.

“I’m excited,” Justice said. “I don’t really want to go far away from home and I’m really used to (MSU) and I love Tim. I’ve known him for years. I love all the girls — I know most of them — so I’ll be really comfortable here.”

Berry believes that she will fit into the team’s lineup perfectly.

“I’ve watched Ashley play volleyball and softball for the last four or five years,” Berry said. “She has always struck me as a pure athlete. She’s left-handed, aggressive, and in softball, she has a great throw from behind the plate as a catcher.”

Justice believes that she will contribute to the team chemistry of both squads.

“I really bring ‘life’ to the team,” Justice said. “I’m a really fun person. I always get people up when they’re down. I play with heart and I refuse to lose. That’s the worst thing possible in life, because my life is sports.”

Berry plans to try Justice at catcher in softball. She was a four-year starter for the Patriots and was named Class AA first-team all-state as an infielder her senior year. She batted .483 with six home runs, 32 RBIs and 39 runs scored.

“Every year, I’ve progressed,” Justice said. “Hitting-wise, I’ve progressed.”

“My batting average was very good this year, I got several home runs and RBIs and had a really good on-base average. My fielding average as well was good.”

The 5-foot-5 all-around player was a second team all-state selection as a senior in volleyball and helped the Patriots go to the state tournament in each of her four seasons at Independence. She’s not sure what her role will be for the Cougars.

“I know it will be at outside hitter and I’ll probably be playing back row because I’m little,” Justice said. “I’m little but I play big. I think that I’m like 6-5 at heart but I’m really not. I’m 5-5.”

Berry looks for Justice to contribute quickly in both sports.

“Freshman (year) is the transition time,” he said. “I think she’s got a head start with her athletic ability. I think she will be an asset to our program.”

While her athletic plans are set, Justice’s academic career is just beginning. She is still undecided on her major but ready to enter the next phase of her academic life.

“I really don’t know what I want to do in life yet but I’ll get there,” Justice said.

— E-mail:

rjett@register-herald.com