However, that didn’t  affect  the voting process during the selection of the District 13-3A awards.

“It was good to see the team win so many awards, even though we didn’t make the playoffs,” former head coach Jennifer Henry said. “The girls fought hard and never gave up. I enjoyed coaching them.”

Topping the list with superlative selections were senior Shelby Eaves (Catcher of the Year) and freshman Taylor Eaves (co-Newcomer of the Year with Lovejoy’s Brittany Lewis).

The remaining superlatives were presented to Lovejoy’s Beth Johnson (Most Valuable Player), Princeton’s Jordan Strickland (Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year), Community’s Olivia Bailey and Chelsie Wilson (Pitcher and Freshman of the Year), Coaching Staff of the Year went to Community’s Sharyn Vernons (left at the end of last school for same position at Wylie East High School), Melissa Kamp and Dan Marshall.

The one Lady Farmer selected to the first team was senior shortstop Tara McGuire.

Second-squad awards went to sophomore Kristen Helmberger (infield) and junior Rachel Harrison (outfield).

Tabbed for honorable mention were sophomores Katy Adamson and Stephanie Helmberger, both in the infield.

Farmersville finished the season tied for third in district at 5-5 with Community, but they fell to the Lady Braves in a one-game playoff at Lovejoy High School. 

Sharing the district championship for the second consecutive season were state-ranked Lovejoy (No. 6 in the Texas Girls Coaches Association 3A Final Top 25) and Princeton (No. 12 in the same poll) at 9-1. 

Emory Rains and Quinlan Ford ended up tied for fifth at 1-9.

The Lady Farmers should be just as good or better next year with the return of all but two players: Eaves (four-year starter) and McGuire (two-year starter).

Expected to return for next year are Brittany Varner, Jordan Buford, Lora Harris, Sara Spurgin, Veronika Weuthen, Rachel Harrison, Stephanie Helmberger, Ashley Makey, Kristen Helmberger, Katy Adamson, Maranda Craddock, Magan Green and Emily Howell.

Those returning will have a new head coach in Cortney Smith, who took over for Henry. The former coach was relieved of her duties at the end of last school year.

This is Smith’s first head-coaching gig after assisting with the varsity squad for one season.

“To be part of a program with young ladies like Farmersville is a wonderful opportunity for any coach,” Smith said. “But to be named as a new (head softball) coach for the Lady Farmers is a tremendous honor.”

The Lady Farmers will make the switch to an even more competitive 11-3A for the 2011 and 2012 campaigns.

That district consists of first-year program Frisco Lone Star, state-ranked Prosper (honorable mention in the TGCA 3A Final Top 25) and old 13-3A opponents Princeton, Lovejoy and Community.