LONG ISLAND, N.Y. -- Villanova softball alumna
Ryan Henry has broken into the professional ranks, signing a contract with the New York Rise of the Association of Fastpitch Professionals.
"I'm really grateful to be playing, it's so cool to be getting back into softball which is something I never thought I'd get to do again. Plus, it's great to be playing in New York, one of my favorite cities in the world," Henry said. "At Villanova, we played a great preseason all the time and it has prepared me to be confident in this setting."
Henry joins Varsity Club Hall of Fame member Jackie Pasquerella as Wildcats to play professional softball with the New Jersey native joining the four-team AFP in its first official season, playing with the Rise who are based on the campus of Hofstra University.
"It's special to me that I came from a mid-major, all of my teammates are from Power Five schools but I'm proud to be coming from Villanova," Henry said. "I've had a lot of support from people at Villanova throughout the process,
Ally Jones has been my number one cheerleader throughout this and (Villanova head coach)
Bridget Orchard was one of the first people I texted when I was signed."
The VU alum originally joined the organization as a digital media coordinator ahead of the season, but after catching bullpens and showing off her skills behind the plate, she was in the right place at the right time when the squad needed a catcher on the roster and power bat in the lineup.
"We are so excited for Ryan to be living out a dream of playing pro softball," Orchard said. "We are so proud that she is representing Villanova. Truly one of a kind, Ryan shines on and off the field as an amazing teammate and leader. We can't wait to see her make her mark in the professional leagues. We are looking forward to cheering her on!"
Henry earned an All-Region Third Team and a pair of All-BIG EAST nods in her Wildcat career, including a First Team all-conference selection in 2021 and a Second Team accolade as a graduate student. An impressive power hitter, the 5-foot-4 catcher slugged 31 career home runs for third all-time at VU while slashing .263/.338/.497 in her collegiate days.
A vocal leader for the Wildcats throughout her five years, Henry was a well-rounded student-athlete with eight AD's Honor Rolls and five BIG EAST All-Academic Team honors while earning a degree in Communication before a Master of Arts in Theater.
