After Daviess County’s historic 2022 season came to a close, juniors Raylee Roby, Jessie Daniels and senior Millie Roberts were all named to the 3A All-State First Team for their efforts on the diamond.
Roberts is no stranger to high profile awards, as this marks the second time she has been named to First Team All-State and earned honorable mention in 2021. Something she is super excited to share with her teammates.
“All-state is a huge honor, especially first team,” Roberts said. “I’m super excited to have received this honor this year. It requires a lot of hard work and dedication, and I feel like Jessie, Raylee and I have put in more than enough of that hard work.”
Roberts finished her senior campaign with a .380 batting average, slashing five home runs to go along with 16 RBIs. She also got to catch plenty of strikeouts behind the plate, as Roby—who Roberts calls her favorite pitcher she’s ever caught—was named to First Team All-State for the first time.
“There is no doubt Raylee deserved this award,” Roberts said. “She is one of the most hard-working people I know and she doesn’t get enough credit for everything she has done for our team. She is one of the biggest keys to our success and without her we could not win all the games we do. She’s grown so much as a pitcher in the last couple of years, and I think that comes with experience and confidence. She is a lot more confident in the circle than she was last year, and she knows how to handle herself in difficult situations. It’s been an honor to catch her these past couple of years.”
After a strong sophomore season, Roby ramped it up in her junior year. The righty earned a 21-5 record across 163.2 innings in 26 games in the circle, while posting a 1.58 ERA and a whopping 245 strikeouts.
“I was extremely honored to be selected for the first team all-state honors,” Roby said. “I work extremely hard to be the best that I can be and it really means a lot to be recognized with all the great players in our state.”
Roby credits the time that she put in during the offseason to what has helped her make a big jump this season, while also crediting Roberts for helping her grow as her catcher.
“I think all the work I put in this past winter really helped me and just practicing on and developing my different pitches,” Roby said. “I also have to give credit to my catcher Millie. She was a big part of my success this season. She is always willing to catch me and is always pushing me to be better. Her confidence in me gives me confidence in myself especially when things aren’t going great out in the circle.”
Daniels joins Roby on All-State First Team for the first time as well, having expanded on a big sophomore season in her junior year. She led the team in nearly every offensive stat, posting .467 batting average, while mashing 15 home runs and tallying 39 RBIs.
“It really means a lot, considering last year was my first big year for dc softball,” Daniels said. “It also means a lot to know my hard work has paid off.”
Staying mentally tough was a key factor in Daniels success her junior year, as it and some motivation from her parents helped her get through rough patches and play well.
“The key this season has been to just stay confident,” Daniels said. “Towards the end of the season I struggled a little and wasn’t seeing the ball as well as I was at the beginning of the season. Staying confident helped me to start to see the ball well again. Also a huge shoutout to my parents for pushing me to be the best player and person I can be.”
Daniels—like Roby—also credited Roberts for her success this season, as their relationship and Roberts guidance for the team helped her continue to grow.
“Millie has always been a huge leader on this team and has always been a huge inspiration of mine,” Daniels said. “Throughout this season me and Millie have grown closer and learned to lean on each other. Millie played a huge role in my success, as well as my team’s success.”
Daniels was also a lightning bolt of energy on the field and in the dugout for the Lady Panthers, something Roby was particularly proud of her for being.
“Jessie really took a leadership role on our team this year. Jessie believes in herself and she knows we all believe in her and have her back,” Roby said. “Jessie is always there to pick everyone up when they are down and was a key part of our success this year. All I can say about Jessie is that she is a beast.”
The trio of Lady Panthers have been playing together and under Head Coach John Biggs for years and Roby said that these three earning these postseason awards goes to show the depth of the Daviess County softball program.
“It just goes to show all the talent Daviess County has,” Roby said. “All of us started with Coach Biggs in middle school and just the preparation of learning the program and relationship we have developed over these past several years is a true testament to Coach Biggs. DC is fortunate to have the great talent we have but Coach Biggs pushes us and helps us get better everyday – not only as players but also just making us better people.”
Roby also wanted to thank all of those who followed along with the Lady Panthers journey this season and cheered them on, as it’s the fans that help create big moments at games that players will cherish forever.
“I would like to thank all of our fans and supporters this year,” Roby said. “There is nothing like the atmosphere of high school sports especially in big games like the big district games and the region championship when all the fans are there just supporting their team and making a great experience for all of us players.”
Roberts shared a similar sentiment, thanking the community for all the support she has received while letting everyone know that the area will be represented well when she takes the field for Auburn next year.
“I would just like to thank everyone in the Owensboro sports community for all the support I have received throughout my high school career,” Roberts said. “I wouldn’t have been able to have the success that I have had without the community behind me. I’m looking forward to my college career, and I’m excited to represent Daviess County throughout the rest of my career.”
As for Daniels, she feels as though it’s been an amazing year for the Lady Panthers. But less than a week after their final loss of the season at state, she’s ready to get right back to work.
“It’s been a great season and I cannot wait for next season,” Daniels said.
