Somerset Silver Palms’ Stevens and Rebhan are the Dade 5A-2A Softball Players of the Year
Ava Stevens and Taylor Rebhan have been two foundation pieces in Somerset Silver Palms’ rise to becoming one of the top softball teams in the state.
Although the Stallions have yet to win their first state title, Stevens and Rebhan each overcame adversity to lead them back to state and prove that, as a program, they are here to stay.
Stevens stepped into the role of ace and Rebhan overcame an injury to regain her form at the plate to help Somerset knock off favored Coral Springs Charter in the regional finals once again and make it to the Class 3A state semifinals for the second consecutive season.
For their accomplishments, Stevens is the Miami Herald’s Class 5A-2A Softball Pitcher of the Year for Miami-Dade County while Rebhan is the 5A-2A Player of the Year.
It’s the second consecutive year that Somerset sweeps the awards.
Stevens, a freshman, earned Player of the Year honors last season after an incredible hitting season in which she almost hit .700 against some of the state’s best teams.
She was no slouch at the plate again this season, hitting .500 with 19 RBI and scoring 35 runs.
But her more important role was stepping into the circle after the Stallions graduated last year’s Pitcher of the Year Edan Playa.
It wasn’t easy at first, but Stevens overcame some early struggles to lead the Stallions back to state, going 15-5 with 116 strikeouts and a 2.73 ERA.
“I didn’t pitch for a while before this season, because I kind of just settled down to focus on my hitting,” Stevens said. “But then I had to come up and step in for the high school season as the main pitcher and that got me way more experience as a pitcher. The more I practiced every day and the more games and experience I had, the better I was doing. I’m way more confident going into games.”
Rebhan, a sophomore, continued to be one of the best defensive players in the state at her position and hit .450 with six doubles, three triples and 27 RBI while scoring 33 runs. Rebhan said she started seeing the ball better and making better contact as the season progressed.
“So at the beginning of the season, I was not doing too good because I just got back from an injury over the summer,” Rebhan said. “And then towards the middle of the season, I just kept hitting and hitting so then I got all my confidence back.”
Proving doubters wrong became a theme for both Stevens, Rebhan and the rest of their teammates.
“We were doubted the whole year,” Stevens said. “Before the Coral Springs Charter game, I just wanted to prove people wrong because everyone was doubted on the team. And it was kind of embarrassing. It was cool to come out and prove that we’re actually something and people stopped talking after we won.”
