JUDA - The last time the Juda sofball team played Oakfield was in a sectional championship game four years ago and Juda-Albany senior Molly Marass was the team manager.
Marass recalls the Panthers' 3-0 loss to Oakfield and watching the Oaks celebrate a trip to state in Beaver Dam. The last time the Panthers played Oakfield, Amber Ramos, who is now playing softball at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, was the team's ace pitcher.
"It was an incredible game," Marass said. "It was two of the best teams I have ever seen play."
Now, Marass, who didn't know if she would play sports this year due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament, is honored to run into center field at the University of Wisconsin's Goodman Diamond on Friday for a state semifinal game against Oakfield.
"We know they are great," Marass said. "We are a good team. We have to play our best for the whole seven innings, and whatever happens, happens. This will be a great test for us as a team."
Marass has cleared several hurdles of tests the past year. She tore her ACL last July playing in a summer basketball tournament in Platteville. She was completing a crossover dribble during a game when her life as a basketball player changed.
"When I crossed over my knee just snapped," Marass said. "It was a devastating moment. When I got hurt the doctor said he didn't know if I would play any sports this year."
Marass had her final season of volleyball wiped out due to the injury. She missed half the basketball season but made it back after five-and-a-half grueling months of physical therapy.
"My goal was to make it back for softball," she said.
Marass' rehab included weight-bearing and balance activities. She worked on jumping and then running. Playing in the state semifinal against Oakfield will not only be a test for the team, it will be a reminder of the challenges she had to clear to get back on the field.
"I didn't have the range of motion," Marass said. "I worked my butt off to get back in time. Making it to the state tournament after so many years of being so close, it's just an amazing feeling. It's crazy to think about."
Marass recalls the Panthers' 3-0 loss to Oakfield and watching the Oaks celebrate a trip to state in Beaver Dam. The last time the Panthers played Oakfield, Amber Ramos, who is now playing softball at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, was the team's ace pitcher.
"It was an incredible game," Marass said. "It was two of the best teams I have ever seen play."
Now, Marass, who didn't know if she would play sports this year due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament, is honored to run into center field at the University of Wisconsin's Goodman Diamond on Friday for a state semifinal game against Oakfield.
"We know they are great," Marass said. "We are a good team. We have to play our best for the whole seven innings, and whatever happens, happens. This will be a great test for us as a team."
Marass has cleared several hurdles of tests the past year. She tore her ACL last July playing in a summer basketball tournament in Platteville. She was completing a crossover dribble during a game when her life as a basketball player changed.
"When I crossed over my knee just snapped," Marass said. "It was a devastating moment. When I got hurt the doctor said he didn't know if I would play any sports this year."
Marass had her final season of volleyball wiped out due to the injury. She missed half the basketball season but made it back after five-and-a-half grueling months of physical therapy.
"My goal was to make it back for softball," she said.
Marass' rehab included weight-bearing and balance activities. She worked on jumping and then running. Playing in the state semifinal against Oakfield will not only be a test for the team, it will be a reminder of the challenges she had to clear to get back on the field.
"I didn't have the range of motion," Marass said. "I worked my butt off to get back in time. Making it to the state tournament after so many years of being so close, it's just an amazing feeling. It's crazy to think about."
