It’s no secret that there are fewer athletes playing multiple sports in college compared to decades’ past. But that downtrend has seen a bit of an uptick when it comes to some recent high school graduates in Tompkins County. Ithaca’s Jack Barton will be playing football and lacrosse at Utica University, while Lansing’s Hailey Baughan will continue her golf and hockey careers at St. John Fisher University. Another Bobcat will join that exclusive list this year.
Piper Mason has committed to playing both volleyball and softball at Hilbert College. She originally was just looking to play softball for the Hawks, but once their volleyball head coach reached out to her, she couldn’t pass up on the opportunity to do something only a handful of college athletes can say they’ve pursued.
“I’m so grateful and so blessed especially for [softball] Coach Dan [Opera] and [volleyball] Coach Cal [Crosby] for giving me these opportunities and all my support, my coaches, my family that have gotten me here and have given me the skills to be able to do this,” Mason said. “It’s something very special.”
The balance between academics and athletics naturally gets heightened when entering college, but it’s certainly more of a challenge being part of two teams. But having played three sports all her life (including basketball), Mason is ready to continue being a standout student-athlete with the Hawks.
“I think I’ll be okay,” Mason said. “Hilbert is a small school, and I know the support there is great. Your professors know everybody. You can build a good relationship with them, and I know both my coaches are very understanding with needing to do schoolwork and then obviously both sports. They highly encourage playing two sports, too, which is nice. I just feel like I have a great support system there, which I’m very excited about.”
Mason’s volleyball career with the Bobcats was nothing short of spectacular. In her first year on the varsity team as a sophomore, she helped Lansing win the Class B state title. Two years later, she played an even greater role in the Bobcats’ Section IV Class B championship and third-place finish at states, earning All-State honors in the process. Throughout her time on one of the premier powerhouses in New York State volleyball, Mason has become a more well-rounded player.
“Sophomore year, I was like mainly a front row player, and then throughout like 11th and 12th grade, I started becoming more defense-oriented,” Mason said. “I think I’m honestly better in the back row now. As I’ve progressed and grown up, I think my mentality has also gotten a lot better, and I’m definitely more confident in myself and have a strong mindset going into games and practices.”
After an enjoyable basketball season where she was part of the Bobcats’ first IAC North Large Division title and IAC championship appearance since 2014, it was onto the spring for some softball. It was a unique campaign for Mason as she transitioned into a different role. After being their ace pitcher the previous two seasons, Mason moved to shortstop as sophomore Reagan Chalupsky took over in the circle.
With more of a focus now at the plate, Mason thrived in that regard. She led the team with a .511 batting average, a .656 on-base percentage, a .889 slugging percentage, 23 hits, and 33 runs all while providing reliable defense at such a vital position in the infield. It comes as no shock that she was an All-State selection. It’s also unsurprising to hear that hitting has been her biggest area of improvement.
“Through travel ball and my coaches there, I definitely think I have a better mentality going up to the plate,” Mason said. “I think that overall my skills have grown, and I think that’s what I’ve done to help accomplish that.”
Not only did the Bobcats end up winning their third straight division title, they also made the semifinals of the Section IV tournament for the first time since 2005. To make a bit of history with seven of her fellow seniors was the cherry on top of an outstanding athletic career at Lansing.
“Many of those seniors are my best friends, and being able to do that for my final year with so many of us is great,” Mason said. “It was a great experience, and I’m very happy with how we ended.”
On the surface, there may not seem like a lot of similarities between volleyball and softball. But for Mason, confidence is key to excelling in both sports at the high school level and in the next chapter of her career at Hilbert.
“I think that’s what’s definitely helped me succeed the most,” Mason said. “If you’re confident in yourself and you know your abilities, you know what your team can do and you just go into the games thinking ‘Yeah, we’re gonna do this.’ That’s 100 percent what’s gonna follow me into college.”
