Photo by Torrie Matlock - Pe Ell-Willapa Valley Titan star softball player Olivia Matlock accepted an academic and athletic scholarship to attend St. Martin's University in the fall of 2022. Matlock, whose parents are Pat Matlock and Torrie Matlock, plan
Super student-athlete Olivia Matlock, a senior at Willapa Valley HS, signed a National Letter of Intent to study education and play softball for St. Martin's University in Lacey next fall. Matlock, who excels in the classroom and on the athletic field at pitcher, in the batter's box, and defensively at first base for the Pe Ell-Willapa Valley Titans, talked with the Herald about her decision to sign with the Saints. Matlock, a Running Start and High Honor Roll student, intends to pursue a degree in education. Olivia is the daughter of Pat Matlock and Torrie Matlock.
"I chose to attend Saint Martin's University for its academic reputation and small student to teacher ratio," Matlock said. "I also like the small private university feel. I really like the softball program and what it can offer me. I will be able to come in and compete right away. I really clicked with the coaching staff as well. I will also have another chance to play with my ex-high school teammate Brittany Patrick."
In addition to St. Martin's, several schools contacted Matlock to attend their college campus.
"I was in communication with several schools in different NCAA divisions during my recruiting process," Matlock said. "Saint Martin's University gave me a verbal offer of a scholarship and roster spot in November of last year (and) due to NCAA rules for softball they were unable to give me an official offer until after September 1st of this year. I accepted Saint Martin's offer and didn't pursue any others. I was in communication with several colleges including Division 1 schools. I didn't receive any offers from the Division 1 level as I accepted the Saint Martin's offer and discontinued communications with other schools. I accepted the first offer that was presented to me by Saint Martin's University and didn't consider anymore after, as I wanted to be a Saint."
COVID also impacted her decision to sign early. "I really saw no reason to prolong the issue," she said. "I wanted to continue my academic and athletic career at Saint Martin's University and I also knew that the 2022 recruiting class was going to be even more competitive as usual because so many schools were offering outgoing college seniors a COVID year to remain and play another year. This meant that a lot of schools that would have recruited 2022 recruits wouldn't need or couldn't afford as many on scholarships for that year."
For Matlock, it was not a difficult or stressful decision to choose to study and play softball, in that order, for SMU.
"The decision was not that difficult for me," Matlock said. "The fit was right and the coaching staff was loyal to me throughout the entire process. My priorities were academics and then softball in that order and I get to do all of that while only being an hour and fifteen minutes from my family. My family was very low key throughout the process and they wanted me to be comfortable with my decision.
"My decision was based on a number of things but I did heavily take into consideration the advice from my parents, family, coaches and friends," Matlock added. "Having all of that in mind, I was able to decide based on common sense. The recruiting process can be very stressful and tense at times whether you are going to play NCAA Division 1, Division 2 or Division 3. I am fortunate because my coaches in my travel ball organization have extensive experience when it comes to finding the right fit between potential colleges and our athletes. It also helps that my dad is one of those travel ball coaches, so he has a lot of recruiting knowledge that helped me with the decision."
Matlock is looking forward to her senior season with the Titans, a perennial state power. She has been a star player since her ninth grade season while earning MVP and all-league honors. Her record in the pitching circle is 24-4 (1.61 ERA) and in the batter's box, she sports a .569 batting average.
"I am really looking forward to my final season as a PWV Titan!" she said. "Myself, and my fellow senior players were robbed of our sophomore season due to COVID. We have something to prove and we want to bring home the state title again. I believe we have all of the right people in place to make a good run at it. Coach (Ken) Olson and Coach Hopfer are two of the best coaches around and I like our chances."
In closing Olivia added, "I would just like to thank my parents, coaches, teammates, friends, family and everyone else who has helped me along this journey."