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At any time of the school year, Aaliyah Alexander can be found representing Central High School in athletic competition. In the fall she plays volleyball, in the winter she plays basketball, and in the spring she plays softball.

Of the three sports, she said softball is her favorite. Sadly, it is the one she was not able to play in her senior season.

The COVID-19 pandemic hit Virginia before the Lady Chargers could take the field for a single regular-season game this spring.

“It hurts that we didn’t play this year,” she said.

Some seniors across the country are aiming to continue their softball careers after high school, but that is not part of Alexander’s plans.

“(This is) going to be it for me,” she said.

She affirmed that this makes the loss of the 2020 season even more emotional for her.

Lady Chargers Head Coach Karen McGrath noted Alexander was entering her third year on the varsity softball team this spring. She earned all-region accolades for her play in the outfield each of the last two years.

“She can play infield and outfield, but with her speed and great judgement of the ball, (she) was definitely a strong asset in the outfield,” the coach said. “Her primary position the last two years was centerfield. Her first year she played left and right field.”

When Alexander was asked what she brought to the team that was unique, she said with a chuckle, “My goofiness.”

She said her strength as a softball player was her hitting.

“She was always so coachable — would do anything we asked of her,” McGrath said. “She was always positive, and it was a joy to watch her grow as a player each year. We are really going to miss her.”

Alexander said what she misses most about the 2020 season is being around the team and having fun with her teammates, many of whom she has played alongside for years.

Next up for Alexander is Southside Virginia Community College.

She noted she will attend there to earn an associate’s degree in human resources.