BOONE, N.C. - Olivia Cook is a first-year transfer-student who will begin her first year at App State in August. She had a stellar high school career that saw her team, East Coweta, win three state championships. She was the 49th-best infielder coming out of high school in 2021, according to Extra Inning Softball.
Capitalizing on her high school career, Cook decided to take her talents to South Carolina, where she played two seasons for the Gamecocks. She wanted to be a player that could make an impact and help the team win. Cook's time at South Carolina saw her appear in 41 games, primarily as a pinch-runner. She scored 15 runs and stole three bases in her career.
Although Cook saw success as a pinch-runner, she wasn't a regular name in the starting lineup. She only took three at-bats in her career at South Carolina and played sparingly in the field.
Cook wanted more. She wanted to make a bigger contribution to her team. That's why she chose to transfer to App State. She saw an opportunity to become a key part of the Mountaineers' softball team.
If she wanted to achieve her goals she had set for herself at App State, she knew she needed a place to play softball so she could gain back the skills and the confidence needed to play the game she loves at a high level. She found this opportunity by playing in the Florida Gulf Coast League.
"The league allowed me to get reps back that I missed and I was able to learn more about the game from my teammates that I had never played with before," Cook said.
The Florida Gulf Coast League, a premier collegiate softball league that is composed of athletes from all divisions and conferences in the United States, gives players a chance to play competitive softball in the summer.
It wasn't an easy decision for Cook to go play in the FGCL. She knew that playing in the league would sacrifice time she could be spending at home with her family and friends.
"It was definitely a hard decision to go play in the FGCL," Cook said. "I am very much a homebody and love to spend time with my family, my friends, my boyfriend and my dogs."
But because of the reps she lost at South Carolina, she wanted to prove to herself that she could still compete against great players.
"I knew that with me transferring I needed to put myself first this summer," Cook said. "If I wanted to be able to capitalize on my softball skills then I needed to go to this league."
Cook didn't just compete in the FGCL; she shined. She led the league in RBI with 24 and ranked second in doubles with eight.
She credits her stellar play in the FGCL to a renewed confidence in her abilities.
"My favorite part of the league was how I was able to play freely," Cook said. "It had been a long time since I felt like I could just trust my abilities and play the game like it's meant to be played."
One thing that she especially enjoyed about the league was that it gave her a chance to play the game that she loved without worrying about messing up.
"I think that actually being able to play and not be fearful while on the field allowed me to love the game a little bit more," Cook said. "I've always loved softball, but the playing time, relationships and experience made me gain a little of that back."
Above all, Cook relished the opportunity to be a leader on her team. She wanted her voice to be heard by her teammates. The FGCL helped her realize the impact that she could have with the Mountaineers.
"I have always considered myself a leader and I expected the FGCL to allow myself to feel like I could lead others," Cook said. "The FGCL helped me gain the skills necessary to lead at App State and helped me understand what impact my voice can have on my team."
The Sharpsburg, Ga., native is excited to play with her new teammates in the upcoming season. She thinks that the FGCL has prepared her for her new career at App State and will help her build strong relationships with her teammates and coaches.
"The FGCL definitely prepared me for my new career at App State," she said. "Obviously, there is the softball side where I was able to gain my confidence back and be able to trust my preparation, but also being around a whole new team with people I had never met."
Cook wants to have a breakout season in her first year at App State. She wants to be an impact player that will help the team win games like she knows she can be. She credits her time in the FGCL for preparing her to be just that.
"I honestly would recommend the FGCL to any softball player who wants more reps, trying to find their love for the game again, or just wanting to stay in shape for the summer," Cook said. "I can truly say that the league helped me become a better player and teammate."
