George Washington University Athletics
GW Softball Graduate Victoria Valos Signs with Pro Team
6/3/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
DALLAS - Recent George Washington softball graduate Victoria Valos has signed with the Dallas Charge professional softball team for the 2015 season.
Valos is the second GW softball alumna to compete at the professional level after Elana Meyers Taylor played for the Mid-Michigan Ice for one season after her graduation in 2007.
The Dallas Charge is one of five teams in the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) league and will embark on its inaugural season in 2015. The Akron Racers, Chicago Bandits, Pennsylvania Rebellion and three-time league champion USSSA Pride make up the remaining four teams of the NPF.
Following an initial tryout in Austin, Texas, shortly after the final game of her collegiate career on May 3, Valos received an invitation from the Charge to return for a second tryout, this time in McKinney, Texas - the same location as the Charge's home field, The Ballfields at Craig Ranch. The three-time Colonials' MVP then received news that she had been selected as an inaugural member of the pro team.
"I am really looking forward to the challenges I will be facing in this new chapter of my career," said Valos. "This game is never-ending when it comes to improving your skills. As an athlete, there is always room to grow and become better and I am exited to be surrounded by coaches, players and competitors who have great experiences I can learn from."
The Bakersfield, California, native will compete under the tutelage of head coach and Olympic gold medalist Jennifer McFalls. Currently an assistant coach for the University of Texas, McFalls received All-America honors while a student-athlete at Texas A&M and has both playing and coaching experience on the international level.
"Signing with the Charge feels just like when I signed with GW," said Valos. "I am excited, but I want to make sure I leave a legacy for future players to help encourage them to work up to their potential and push their limits. For me, this journey is about leaving something behind to inspire others and serve as a reminder of what hard work looks like. I am not just playing for me and my current teammates, I am playing for future teams as well."
Valos graduated as GW's all-time leader in career hits (206), runs scored (139), doubles (51), home runs (36), RBIs (170), extra-base hits (91), total bases (373), slugging percentage (.629), on-base percentage (.433), at-bats (593) and games started (199). An Atlantic 10 Postgraduate Scholarship recipient, the shortstop plans to pursue a graduate degree at GW beginning this fall.
NPF teams play a 48-game regular-season schedule with 2015's taking place on May 29. The Charge will host the PA Rebellion in a season-opening three-game set from June 3-5 before taking on back-to-back league champion USSSA Pride from June 6-9 to wrap the homestand. The NPF Championship Series will take place in Hoover, Alabama, from Aug. 14-18.
Fans can visit the Dallas Charge website to learn more about the team and follow along with Valos throughout the season.
