By Kyle Coppola
Mount Dora Softball’s Kaleigh Casey Proving to Be a True Leader
MOUNT DORA, Fla. — Junior infielder Kaleigh Casey is putting together a stellar season for Mount Dora High School’s softball team, showcasing both athletic and academic excellence. Through eight games, Casey is batting .500 with 12 hits, four doubles, two RBIs, and six runs scored—an impressive performance despite the Hurricanes’ 2-6 start to the season. The Canes are facing a daunting schedule but there’s plenty of reason to be impressed by what this team is accomplishing and Casey is one of the bright spots.
(Katie is a team leader in more ways than one. She is also a geat student and is involved in many activities outside softball including FFA.)
Beyond the diamond, Casey boasts a fantastic 5.0 GPA and is an active member of the Future Farmers of America, recently showing a cow in competition. Her ability to balance academics, extracurriculars, and athletics has made her a standout in every aspect of student life. It’s always great to see student-athletes perform in the classroom as well as the ball fields.
(Casey recently showed a cow at a recent FFA event which she shared on her X account.)
“Kaleigh Casey is the kind of player every coach wants on their team,” Mount Dora head coach Stive Colas said. “She brings not only skill but also leadership, composure, and a relentless work ethic that sets the tone for everyone around her.”
Casey has been supported at the plate by junior Addison Ganus, who is hitting .320 with eight RBIs, and sophomore Peyton Kolva, who has emerged as a consistent threat with a .375 batting average.
(Addison Ganus has been a standout for Mount Dora this season. Photo Credit – Joe Ott Photography Fan Zone.)
“Addison Ganus is dependable and always ready to contribute,” Colas added. “With a strong bat and an even stronger attitude, she steps up wherever she’s needed—whether at the plate or in the circle.”
As for Kolva, Colas praised the young hitter’s development.
(Peyton Kolva has come alive this season and has been among the breakout stars in Lake County. Photo Credit – Joe Ott Photography Fan Zone.)
“Her bat has come alive, becoming more consistent and giving the team a reliable presence at the plate,” he said. “She’s proving that hard work pays off, and her improvement adds another level of strength to our lineup.”
Though the Hurricanes are struggling in the win column, Casey’s leadership and on-field production provide a bright spot for Mount Dora. The schedule this year for the Canes has been difficult. Don’t let the 2-6 record fool you. This team has a lot to build upon in the coming weeks.
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
