PA's Virginia Edmondson commits to OUAZ for basketball
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Virginia Edmondson accomplished quite a bit athletically at Arendell Parrott.
In her three years at APA, Edmondson was a key contributor to the Patriots’ first state volleyball championships in 2018 and 2019, but was even more impressive on the basketball court. In the last two seasons with her on the floor, the Patriots went 26-3 which included a share of the EPIC conference title and their first trip to the NCISAA semifinals since 2004.
Edmondson committed to Ottawa University of Arizona Tuesday to continue her basketball career after posting great all-around numbers throughout her time with APA — she averaged 14.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6.0 steals and 4.8 assists per game her junior year, then followed with 11.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 4.1 steals this season.
“She brought a great work ethic that rubbed off on the rest of the players,” Patriots coach Kelly Johnson said. “She gave our team confidence and she was a great leader, showing that hard work can pay off.”
Edmondson endured ACL tears her sophomore and junior seasons, cutting both campaigns short. The Patriots were 10-0 with Edmondson in the lineup during the 2019-20 season, but fell to 7-7 without her.
“Being out for the better part of two years hurt,” Edmondson said. “I love the game of basketball and I’ll do whatever it takes to play the game. We had a great season this year — we got along really well on and off the court, and it showed.”
Johnson said Edmondson made great strides to get back to the levels she was capable of playing at.
“She worked through it and did a lot in the offseason, developing confidence that her knees were fine,” Johnson said. “We always talked about moving forward and she did a super job doing that. Anyone who had two torn ACLs will have doubt, but her family helped, we helped and she did a majority of the work. She’s mentally tough and it helped her get through the process.”
Scott Edmondson, Virginia’s father, said he’s happy to see his daughter get a chance to play at the next level.
“We’re excited for her,” he said. “We don’t love the fact she’s so far away, but we’re excited about the opportunity for her.”
Anne Edmondson, Virginia’s mother, shared similar sentiments about the distance — it’s 2,329 miles from APA to Ottawa University in Surprise, Ariz. — but she believes it’s a great place for her daughter.
“When we went to visit, everything felt perfect,” she said. “She fell in love with the school, the coach, the girls and felt great about the decision. We’re excited for her and it looks like we’ll have to get some frequent flyer miles.”
Edmondson, who plans to study exercise science at Ottawa, said she believes she picked a great school and appreciated APA for helping her get there.
“The academics and athletics are great there, and I’m so thankful for not only the experience, but everyone that’s led me there,” Edmondson said.
.
Virginia Edmondson accomplished quite a bit athletically at Arendell Parrott.
In her three years at APA, Edmondson was a key contributor to the Patriots’ first state volleyball championships in 2018 and 2019, but was even more impressive on the basketball court. In the last two seasons with her on the floor, the Patriots went 26-3 which included a share of the EPIC conference title and their first trip to the NCISAA semifinals since 2004.
Edmondson committed to Ottawa University of Arizona Tuesday to continue her basketball career after posting great all-around numbers throughout her time with APA — she averaged 14.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6.0 steals and 4.8 assists per game her junior year, then followed with 11.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 4.1 steals this season.
“She brought a great work ethic that rubbed off on the rest of the players,” Patriots coach Kelly Johnson said. “She gave our team confidence and she was a great leader, showing that hard work can pay off.”
Edmondson endured ACL tears her sophomore and junior seasons, cutting both campaigns short. The Patriots were 10-0 with Edmondson in the lineup during the 2019-20 season, but fell to 7-7 without her.
“Being out for the better part of two years hurt,” Edmondson said. “I love the game of basketball and I’ll do whatever it takes to play the game. We had a great season this year — we got along really well on and off the court, and it showed.”
Johnson said Edmondson made great strides to get back to the levels she was capable of playing at.
“She worked through it and did a lot in the offseason, developing confidence that her knees were fine,” Johnson said. “We always talked about moving forward and she did a super job doing that. Anyone who had two torn ACLs will have doubt, but her family helped, we helped and she did a majority of the work. She’s mentally tough and it helped her get through the process.”
Scott Edmondson, Virginia’s father, said he’s happy to see his daughter get a chance to play at the next level.
“We’re excited for her,” he said. “We don’t love the fact she’s so far away, but we’re excited about the opportunity for her.”
Anne Edmondson, Virginia’s mother, shared similar sentiments about the distance — it’s 2,329 miles from APA to Ottawa University in Surprise, Ariz. — but she believes it’s a great place for her daughter.
“When we went to visit, everything felt perfect,” she said. “She fell in love with the school, the coach, the girls and felt great about the decision. We’re excited for her and it looks like we’ll have to get some frequent flyer miles.”
Edmondson, who plans to study exercise science at Ottawa, said she believes she picked a great school and appreciated APA for helping her get there.
“The academics and athletics are great there, and I’m so thankful for not only the experience, but everyone that’s led me there,” Edmondson said.
