Hart senior Tenley Sweet has been playing softball for 14 years, four of which have been on Hart’s varsity softball team. 

Sweet had several National College Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 schools hoping to recruit her, but she always knew she wanted to play at the University of Notre Dame. Committing during her junior year, Sweet has always had a special place in her heart for the Fighting Irish because her older sister also played softball at Notre Dame.

“The second that they [Notre Dame] contacted me I was like ‘Yeah, I’m not even going to look at any of the other schools,”’ Sweet said.

Hart softball has already played a few games against schools like El Camino Real and Camarillo during its home varsity tournament February 18. Hart beat El Camino Real 6-2, and lost to Camarillo 3-2.

The team will begin competing against other teams in the Foothill League in March, with its first game at Golden Valley, March 9. Ending both the 2022 and 2021 season with a tie for second place in the Foothill League, Sweet and her teammates are looking to end their streak and secure first place.

“League is kind of up for grabs right now because everyone lost people [last year’s seniors], so we’re all evenly matched. The goal is to win League, and if we can’t do that, then play as long as we can,” Sweet said. 

Sweet’s athletic prowess will be displayed again February 28 when Hart softball takes on El Camino Real for a second time.