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Senior Spotlight: Abigail Hendricks did anything for her teammates

by DYLAN GREENE
Sports Editor | June 12, 2020 1:00 AM

Editor’s note: This article is part of a recurring series on local high school athletes who had their seasons cut short or canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

SANDPOINT — Playing on the varsity softball team was an aspiration Abigail Hendricks had in the back of her mind for most of her life.

Part of the reason for that goal may have come from seeing current Sandpoint head softball coach Elizabeth Hawkins-Williams nearly every Sunday at church. They had an instant connection when Abigail was growing up and she was already envisioning herself in a Bulldogs uniform.

Following her sophomore year, Abigail was ready for that dream to become a reality but she was presented with another amazing opportunity that she couldn’t pass up. Abigail spent her junior year as a Rotary Exchange student in the Netherlands.

Adapting to a new culture and environment was quite the challenge, but Abigail won’t ever forget the year she spent abroad.

“It’s hard to even put into words because it was basically like a whole life within a year,” she said.

While in the Netherlands, Abigail joined a local club volleyball team to stay active and keep her fire for sports alive because she couldn’t find anywhere to play softball.

Abigail said it was difficult to step away from softball and her teammates for a full year but once she returned to North Idaho, she focused all her attention on leaving her mark on the varsity level.

After finding her way back into the game this past offseason, Abigail looked ready for a memorable senior season and eager to start at her favorite position — third base. But it wasn’t meant to be.

“It was just really hard having to work all that time throughout my whole life and not getting to be on varsity really,” she said.

Hawkins-Williams had no doubts about Abigail’s potential and believes she would have played a key role on the team as a junior and senior, so she was heartbroken when she learned Abigail would never get a chance to show it.

About two weeks ago, the Bulldogs were able to hold a socially-distanced senior night to honor Abigail and the team’s other five seniors. The event meant a lot to her and helped her move past the disappointment of a lost season.

“It was the kind of closure we needed because ... we all got to see each other again and it just became a reality that we won’t be able to play together,” she said.

Softball has always been a part of Abigail’s life. At age 5 she started playing T-ball and stuck with the sport until the youth softball program in Sandpoint was established when she was in elementary school.

Abigail’s mom, Annie Hendricks, said she encouraged her daughter to try things when she was young and she naturally gravitated toward softball.

Abigail also played volleyball for most of her life before giving it up after her trip abroad. She even took up track in middle school, however, that only lasted a week.

Annie said at that time, Abigail was competing in club volleyball and softball so adding a third sport at the same time wasn’t possible. Plus, Abigail admitted she’s not really about that running lifestyle.

But nothing compared to softball. The friends she made along the way, especially Jaycie Irish and Izzo Edwards who have inspired her throughout her life, made it all worth it.

“That’s why I never wanted to quit was because my teammates were so amazing that I could never imagine giving it up,” she said.

Abigail is shorter compared to most softball players, but she embraced the challenge of having to master her technique in order to gain power and maximize her full potential.

Hawkins-Williams said Abigail played much bigger than she is due to her attitude and work ethic. Nothing fazed Abigail. She dove on the floor of Les Rogers Court when the team was forced to practice indoors without thinking twice and she was fearless and aggressive, which are two traits Hawkins-Williams said are necessary to play third base.

“She’s all out, all the time,” Hawkins-Williams said.

Annie said her daughter enjoyed chasing after balls hit down the third base line and throwing all the way across the field to first.

Abigail embraced a motivational role on the Sandpoint softball team and didn’t shy away from pumping up her teammates when it looked like they needed a lift. Annie said Abigail is incredibly humble and did anything for her team.

“It was very interesting to see her be drawn toward inspiring and encouraging others,” Annie said. “Being a team player, that was so imperative and important to her.”

Abigail enjoyed her time at SHS and will remember Mr. Search’s class the most.

“It feels like just yesterday I was touring the high school and getting ready to go there,” she said. “I really think that I took my time for granted and just looking back there is so many great memories I have just sitting in class with my friends.”

Abigail is heading to the University of Memphis to study public relations. She hopes to be a PR manager in the future and also got accepted into the school’s Social Change Scholars program. She will be looking at social issues in the community of Memphis and doing some volunteering, which is something she really enjoys.

Annie isn’t nervous about her daughter moving so far away from home because her time abroad taught her how to be independent.

“We’re excited for her to go off and grow and learn ... that’s how you become an adult,” Annie said.

Hawkins-Williams said Abigail’s joy and smile will be missed.

“She just lit up everything we were doing either because of her attitude or her work ethic ... that impact is something that’s going to last so I don’t know if we’ll see another player like that because they’ve been few and far between for our program,” she said.

In her own words: Abigail Hendricks

“My name is Abigail Hendricks, and I just graduated from Sandpoint High School. This fall I will be attending the University of Memphis and I am majoring in public relations. I also hope to move out of Sandpoint so I can go explore the rest of the world.

Throughout my life I have had a love of sports, especially a love for softball. Although I am disappointed that I was not able to play my senior year, I am so grateful for every year that has led up to this moment. I’d like to thank my parents for always pushing me to play harder and never give up. I’d also like to thank all of my teammates throughout the years for inspiring me and making softball the most fun sport to participate in. Lastly, I would like to thank all of my coaches for teaching me how to play to the best of my abilities and for making each season so unforgettable.”