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During this edition of Coaches Corner we interviewed Coach of the Leavitt Varsity Softball Team Laura Reny. Coach Reny grew up in Greene Maine going through the MSAD52 school district and attending USM for college. At USM Reny played both softball and field hockey. We asked her why she likes coaching and she explained how she loves watching and helping the kids grow. She has always loved sports and helping up and coming players always puts a smile on her face.

As we began to discuss the pact season, the Leavitt Hornets went 15 and 4 on the season, ultimately being knocked out in the semifinals by Medomak Valley who they had beaten once before. We asked Coach Reny about the key players and leaders from last year and she described 2025 senior Hailey Turcotte as a good influence for the whole team “she kept it light, sometimes she would mess up which was relatable to the other players but she was able to bounce right back which was the example that younger players on the team needed to see”. Reny also said that junior Hailey Cyr was a very good, stable leader in the circle, freshmen Elizabeth Kowalski quietly commanded the field from behind the plate and not letting moments get to her as well as Freshman Reese Bilodeau showing up in the outfield and in the circle when needed. We asked about the team culture as well which Coach Reny said was rough at times. She explained that there were a lot of individual players rather than a cohesive team which at times caused drama. However as the season went on the girls connected more which showed in tougher games and into the prelims and quarterfinals.

The 2026 softball season begins next week where Coach Reny hopes to “see growth and take off where we left off.” She also wants to get the name “Medomack Valley” out of all the players’ heads from the get go as it affected their mental game last season. The 2026 season’s focus is on having players let errors roll off their backs, Reny hopes to see players be able to move onto the next play. Coach said that the overall season goal is to “BRINGING HOME SOME HARDWARE”. We asked her who she sees being crucial players this coming season and she said that she hopes the underclassmen step up and the seniors are able to be steady role models especially since there are 6 starting varsity seniors. Finally we asked her advice she would give to younger players and she said “Don’t set yourself in one position. Don’t shy away from trying to play more positions. You need failure in order to succeed.”

• Elizabeth Kowalski