MOSES LAKE — Friends, family, coaches and teammates gathered in the commons at Moses Lake High School Monday afternoon to celebrate Raegen Hofheins signing on to play both volleyball and softball at Walla Walla Community College.

Being able to compete in both sports was a significant factor in what led Hofheins to sign with the Warriors, she said.

“I enjoyed Walla Walla when I first went for softball, and I got thinking, ‘Maybe volleyball could go with that?’” Hofheins said. “One of my coaches, Alexa Moser, did that and I was like, ‘Well if she can do it, maybe I can.’ When that became an opportunity, that was a decision-maker.”

During her time in fastpitch, Hofheins was a member of last year’s 4A state tournament-qualifying team and has picked up first-team all-league honors in the Big 9 over the past two seasons. In the 2023 fastpitch season, Hofheins was the Columbia Basin Big 9’s Defensive Player of the Year.

“We’re just proud of her; she’s been the backbone of our program, softball-wise, and I can tell she’s the same way when I watch her play volleyball,” said Mike Hofheins, Moses Lake’s softball coach. “She’s a leader, she’s got that infectious energy to her, kids look up to her.”

Monday’s signing was extra special for Mike; not just because it was for Moses Lake’s fourth collegiate signee over the past two years, but because it was for his daughter.

“She’s a joy to coach, and it’s icing on the cake that she gets to be my kid,” Mike said. “That’s fun.”

On the volleyball court, Raegen said she started playing when she was in the seventh grade. Over the past two years, the senior has picked up all-league honors in back-to-back seasons.

“She’s been dynamic the last four years,” Moses Lake volleyball coach Krystal Trammell said. “As a freshman, she came in and her attitude, work ethic and dedication to the sport was seen.”

The Walla Walla softball team is coming off a 38-11 season in 2023, finishing in second place of the Northwest Athletic Conference’s east division. The Warriors have a winning percentage of 78% since 2019.

“During the recruiting process with Raegen, it was her athleticism and her versatility (that stood out),” said Logan Parker, Walla Walla Community College’s head softball coach. “I knew she was a multi-sport athlete, and I knew from talking to people that softball was her primary but she also was a really good volleyball player. From there, it got the ball rolling in how to recruit her.”

Beginning her career in both sports stemmed from watching her sisters play, Raegan said.

“It was really my sisters; they both played, and growing up watching them made me like this sport,” Raegan said. “I like watching them so I figured I’d like playing it, and I fell in love with both of them.”

One of her sisters, Taylor Hofheins, is a catcher for the Whitworth Pirates.

“It’s going to be super fun,” Mike said. “It’s going to be a challenge to get to see which games we’re going to be able to hit.”

Monday’s signing ceremony includes speeches from Mike, Trammell and Parker, who all spoke on what the soon-to-be Warrior meant to their respective programs.

“I’m usually used to being in front of the school, it’s usually not that bad for me, but when everyone was here I was a little overwhelmed at first,” Raegen said. “Just hearing what everyone had to say and all the positive things they had to say about me, it felt really good — it’s nice to hear.”

Discovering the community of Walla Walla athletics is what Raegen looks forward to the most, she said.

“I think I’m most excited for the sport environment there,” Raegen said. “I’ve heard many things about it and how it’s super fun. You get to know so many people.”

Ian Bivona may be reached at ibivona@columbiabasinherald.com.

    Moses Lake senior Raegen Hofheins (2) serves the ball during a game in the 2023 volleyball season.
  

    Moses Lake senior Raegen Hofheins (2) makes contact with a pitch during a game in the 2023 fastpitch softball season.