For the fifth edition of the Senior Spotlight, Sports Media student Kendall Payne speaks with softball player Addie Poe. Addie is part of the MVA softball team where she's one of the biggest threats to the opposing pitcher and is just one home run shy of becoming MVA's all-time leader for most home runs in an MVA career.

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Senior standout Addie Poe has been one of the driving forces behind the success of the Montverde Academy softball program. A powerful presence at the plate as well as a leader on and off the field, Addie has continued to elevate the Eagles while preparing for the next chapter of her life.

Addie's softball journey began early as she began playing at the age of seven and fell in love with it thanks to being able to compete along with the frienships she was able to build.

"I fell in love with it because of the competitive atmosphere and the friendships I built with my teammates." 

That love for the game has only grown stronger ever since.Her decision to attend MVA was about growth both on and off the field. 

"What brought me to Montverde Academy was the opportunity to play with some of my old teammates again and to get better while also focusing on academics," Addie explained. "I wanted to be in an environment where I could challenge myself and grow both as a player and as a person."

That environment helped her develop significantly during her high school career. She transferred to MVA as an eleventh grader, and MVA proved to be the quintessential fit for the trajectory she wanted to go.

"I think I've grown both physically and mentally," she said. "I've gotten more confident in my abilities and understand how having a good mindset affects the game and how to handle pressure situations."

One of the most memorable moments of her senior season thus far came during the 2026 Montverde Academy Invitational Softball Tournament (MAIST) last month where she delivered one of the most dominant performances in program and MAIST tournament history. Over the three-day event, she posted an incredible .667 batting average, along with a double, a triple, three home runs, and 13 runs batted in. She posted an astronomical 2.727 on base plus slugging (OPS). Her performance earned her the 2026 tournament's Slugger Award after helping propel the Eagles to their fourth consecutive MAIST championship.

She credits much of her growth to the lessons she's learned from her coaches throughout her time at MVA. 

"One of the most valuable things I've learned from my coaches is the importance of having confidence in myself and my teammates and to have a strong work ethic," she said.

After she graduates in a few short months, Addie will continue her softball career at UCF, bringing with her the excellence, leadership, and competitive mindset that helped define her time at MVA. Her record-setting performance at MAIST, the abundance of home runs and the impact she has made on her teammates and classmates will remain a key part of her Eagles' legacy and will certainly benefit the UCF softball program when she arrives.

About the author: Kendall Payne is a junior at Montverde Academy and a member of its boys track & field team. Upon graduation, Kendall plans to attend college where he aspires to study aviation and be a member of its track & field team.