Emerson Puzey became the first Nansemond-Suffolk Academy softball state Player of the Year this season.

Puzey who is now going into her senior year, helped lead NSA to a 22-3 record, but it took her by surprise that she became the first NSA softball player to win Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association’s Division-II state Player of the Year.

The season has been over for about a month for NSA, and the reality of what she accomplished is just now settling in for Puzey. In her junior season, she accomplished so much individually and with her team.

“Everything was such a shock to me,” Puzey said. “Just to receive that award was such an honor, because our state division has so many well-rounded athletes.”

Because Puzey has been playing such strong softball, she has been catching the eye of colleges. Christopher Newport University, Lynchburg College and Virginia Wesleyan have all expressed a lot of interest in Puzey. All three have highly respected softball programs.

The interest excites Puzey, because signing to play in college has long been a dream of hers.

“Playing at the next level is the ideal goal I have for my future,” she said. “I would like to be committed in time enough to sign on National Signing Day. I always thought that would be a cool experience to be a part of.”

At the beginning of the season, Puzey never saw all of this coming. As the season progressed, she started to see her level of play rise, and then she began to become aware of how significant a season she was having.

As she prepares over the summer for her senior season, it is possible Puzey could repeat as state Player of the Year. NSA will be returning nearly the same team next season, having graduated only one senior.

Her junior season concluded with Puzey being the TCIS Player of the Year, along with the VISAA state Player of the Year. In most cases, it doesn’t get much better than that.

However, Puzey has bigger things she wants to accomplish. She intends to deliver a championship to NSA. Considering how close they were this season, Puzey will take it upon herself to improve as much as she can this offseason to help do that.

“Next year, I would like to make a bigger difference for my team,” Puzey said. “I just want to continue to build my confidence in the field and on the plate.”