Marybeth Olson sat through every practice, every game, in uniform, unable to play softball during her freshman season in 2014 due to a knee injury.

Dreams of running out to shortstop, striking out a batter, were on hold for one season.

Olson, a two-time Metro West All-Conference selection, all-state and all-everything as a junior, has had a number of diamond dreams. One, to play softball in college.

Last February, step one toward achieving that goal came in a commitment to the University of Connecticut. Step two came Nov. 9 on National Signing Day at Chanhassen High School, officially inking her name as a Huskie.

“I had a tournament in New Jersey and I visited the campus and I just loved it. I kind of knew I wanted to go east coast with the great academics. I went to a camp there in January and met all of the coaches, all of the girls and I fell in love with it. I think it will challenge me both academically and athletically,” Olson said.

Olson, one of four Chanhassen softball players to sign during the early period – three from the 2016 state championship team – has persevered many times to get where she is today.

In addition to the knee surgery as a freshman, Olson was unable to pitch late last season due to a hand injury. But in the state championship game, the Storm clinging to a lead in the final inning, Olson took the ball.

Her consecutive strikeouts clinched the program’s first state championship in its second straight appearance.

Accomplishing goals such as winning state, playing with a Division I softball program, didn’t happen overnight.

“It took a lot of hard work. Maybe it’s staying after practice, working on a part of your game that needs extra work. It’s about dedicating yourself to something you love,” Olson said.

Olson was joined on stage by teammates Taylor Manno, the star pitcher from last season’s post-season run, and Jessica Bren, an all-state catcher.

Manno plans to attend Rutgers University of the Big Ten with Bren staying in-state, playing at Minnesota-Duluth.

A fourth softball player, Alex Velazquez, a state champion in 2014 in Colorado, also signed with the University of Minnesota. Velazquez, a transfer, is not eligible to play for the Storm this season.

It’s too bad as the defending state champions graduated just one player, and ironically Velazquez can play that vacated position.

“Jess, Taylor and me, we’ve been playing together since 10U maybe, so it was awesome to share this moment with them,” said Olson of the signing.

While a basketball season remains for Olson and Bren, the thought of a repeat next spring is on the minds of all of the Chanhassen players.

“Just that feeling of winning it. You want to experience that again once you’ve felt it,” said Olson of the team’s drive in 2017. “It was an unbelievable experience. Something I’m sure nobody on our team has every felt before. At the same time, we’re still going to have fun, enjoy our senior year. It’s the only one we have left.”

HITTING THE ICE

Lydia Passolt holds just about every scoring record in Chaska/Chanhassen girls hockey history.

Not much to do her senior year, right?

Wrong.

“We have great leadership on our team with 11 seniors. Everyone is playing their part as leaders,” said Passolt of the Storm Hawks, which opens up the 2016-17 season Thursday at home against Holy Family Catholic/Waconia.

“Everyone always says we’re going to make it to state. I say, ‘we’re going to work to make it to state.’ This year we’re going to have to make it happen. It will be great if we do. It will come down to all of us working together to achieve that goal,” she added.

Passolt, along with cross country/track runner Anastasia Korzenowski (University of Minnesota) and lacrosse player Erica Peterson (Concordia-St. Paul), also signed National Letters of Intent Nov. 9.

Passolt is headed north to Bemidji State University of the WCHA, a program already with a win over the University of Minnesota this season.

“I’m very honored to be able to play with Bemidji State University. … That win over the Gophers was huge. I think a lot of programs are still developing, but I feel like we’re definitely a program that is there already and one that’s just going to get better,” Passolt said.

Like many athletes on signing day, Passolt had other options. At the end of the day, though, it’s about being the right fit.

“The coaches there were amazing. When I showed up, they welcomed me and they really knew me. There’s really great respect between the coaches and players, and the team is like a family, which is something that I noticed on my official visit,” Passolt said.

She plans to study nursing, something that also factored into her decision.

“It fit me. There was a moment, I snapped my finger, and thought, ‘this is it,’” she added.

Peterson, a teammate with Passolt on the hockey team, will join a Concordia program in year No. 2.

A four-year member of Minnesota Elite and a Brine National All-American in 2015, Peterson has 70 career goals and 78 assists in four varsity seasons.

“Erica brings a big, strong, low attacking force that is a role that she can look to make an immediate impact on the field,” Golden Bears coach Mo Dunnigan said in a press release. “Her experience and game sense will add tremendous value to our attacking unit.”