Kennard-Dale's multi-sport star going Division I in softball

Matt Allibone
York Daily Record
Kennard-Dale teammates Lexie Kopko, left, and Alexis Hurley celebrate after Kopko scored a run in the District 3 Class 4A softball championship game.

Lexie Kopko has always wanted to go south for college. 

She loves warm weather. And she wants a new experience. 

One school in particular has been on her short list for a while. And it's where she'll get to play her favorite sport at the next level. 

A three-sport athlete, Kopko verbally committed to the University of South Florida for softball earlier this week after taking her official visit last weekend. The Kennard-Dale junior outfielder won't be able to sign her letter of intent until the fall of 2019, but she doesn't expect to have a change of heart. 

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"South Florida is my dream school, I've been targeting it for a year and a half," Kopko said. "I went there for a tournament sophomore year and immediately told my mom I wanted to go there. 

"Since I was a little girl, I've wanted to go to a big school far away from home with warm weather. When I was on campus their head coach said I need to see if 'the pants fit' and I just love it there." 

Competing in the American Athletic Conference, USF softball has been consistently successful under head coach Ken Eriksen, who has led the program since 1997. The Bulls have posted 20 winning seasons and made 13 NCAA Tournament appearances in his 22-year tenure. 

Eriksen is also the head coach of Team USA's women's national team, something that Kopko said played a big part in her interest in the school. She also received interest from Division I programs Akron and Bucknell, Division II Caldwell and Division III Messiah. 

"I wanted to go somewhere with national exposure, and the coaches there know how to get me to the next level," Kopko said. 

Kennard-Dale's Lexie Kopko tries to maintain possession against Berks Catholic in the second half of a PIAA Class 4A second-round game Wednesday, March 14, 2018, at Garden Spot. Kennard-Dale lost 41-32 to Berks Catholic, ending the Rams' season.

A talented all-around athlete, Kopko starts for the Rams in volleyball, basketball and softball. As a sophomore, she was the leading scorer (12 points-per-game) for a hoops team that won a state playoff game for the first time in school history. 

But softball in where Kopko really shines. 

As a freshman, she hit .421 with four home runs and 26 RBIs as the Rams won a District 3 and a state playoff game. Last season, Kopko hit .525 and drove in 24 runs for a squad that went undefeated in the regular season. 

Though she's mainly an outfielder, Kopko can also pitch. 

"I've had a passion for softball since I was little," Kopko said. "When I was a freshman I thought I needed to adjust, I didn't expect to have that big of an impact. I thought we were in a good position with me and (Class of 2019 teammates) Jaedyn McKeon and Alexis Hurley, but I didn't know we would make states." 

Kopko plays for the Gold Coast Hurricanes club team, and trains with them throughout the year. Because of that, playing three high school sports is quite a time crunch for her. 

At the moment, Kopko has volleyball games on Tuesdays and Thursdays with practices the other weekdays. She plays in softball tournaments on the weekends, and tries to fit in weightlifting sessions and basketball work when she can. 

It takes a lot of effort to balance everything, but Kopko loves it. 

"I don't know what I would do without sports," Kopko said. "It's difficult but I love being busy and you get to meet so many people." 

Kopko still has two more seasons of high school softball to play, and the Rams will likely remain contenders. Kennard-Dale has a number of talented young players, including McKeon (.613 batting average last season) and Hurley (13-0 as a pitcher last season). 

Kennard-Dale's Lexie Kopko, right, shares a moment with her grandmother, Gloria Thompson, after the game. Kennard-Dale defeats Eastern York 3-2 in eight innings in the District 3 Class 4A softball championship game at York College, Thursday, June 1, 2017.