MOSES LAKE — Caitlin Decubber was all smiles Tuesday as she signed her letter of intent to officially become the newest member of the Walla Walla Community College Warriors. She is continuing her career as a dual-sport athlete as she will play for the volleyball and softball teams.   

“It feels good, and it's definitely a relief to have a decision made and now I can kind of start planning out where I'm going to live and meeting my new teammates. It's definitely been really exciting,” Decubber said.   

She knew the Warriors were right for her with how welcoming and helpful they were during her recruiting process, Decubber said. Whenever she needed more information about the program, they were always forthcoming.  

“I just really felt like their best interest was in me and getting me to the place where I belonged. Just visiting the town was super nice and all the teammates that I met there were super welcoming,” she said.   

When she arrives on campus, she will continue her journey in both softball and volleyball. As her athletic journey evolved, playing multiple sports became important to her. When asked by friends which is her favorite, she struggles to answer, she said. The ability to be a dual sport athlete at the college level was important to her.   

“It was really relieving to be able to play both of these sports and hopefully having the chance to play on after these two years at the junior college (level),” Decubber said.   

Before she put pen to paper, a few coaches who have worked alongside Decubber over the years took an opportunity to speak. Mavs softball Head Coach Mike Hofheins spoke highly of Decubber and the impact she has had on his program.   

“I'm excited for her,” Hofheins said. “I just know how much fun she's going to have, and I know who she is as an athlete, and she's going to make the locker room or the dugout that she's in better, regardless of where she is, on the floor or the diamond.”   

Every coach who spoke mentioned Decubber’s drive to learn and grow consistently. They also noted how versatile she is in both sports. She had the skills to play in any position or role, something Hofheins and volleyball Head Coach Krystal Trammell said can be rare to find in an athlete.   

“You can feel a difference when she's on the court versus when she's not,” Trammell said. “We knew when she first came in, how versatile she was, and we needed to back setter and I'm like, ‘Caitlin, let's learn how to do this.’ She didn't bat an eye, and she did it.”  

As she reflected on her time as a Maverick, Decubber said she will miss the supportive culture around student athletes at Moses Lake High School.

“Our school is sport-oriented. I feel like in all sports we all support each other, and we all push each other to be the best in the weight room, especially, and most schools don't have that environment in the weight room, or even have the opportunity to lift all year round, and so I think that's been really helpful for all of us,” Decubber said.  

    Caitlin Decubber pitches for the Mavericks fastpitch softball in her junior season. Decubber will play one more season with the Mavericks softball team before graduating and heading to Walla Walla Community College.
  

    Caitlin Decubber, a senior from the Mavs, gets ready to serve the ball during a prior home game. Decubber earned honors for the first team all-league this season.
  

    MLHS senior Caitlin Decubber prepares to spike the ball back over to Eisenhower during the third set in November. Head Coach Krystal Trammell said an athlete with Decubber’s presence can be rare.
  

    The Mavs’ Caitlin Decubber throws the ball back to centerfield during a fastpitch game her junior season.