Man High School senior Summer Sword, pictured with family members and staff, signed a national letter of intent recently to play collegiate softball at West Virginia State. To the left of Sword is Man softball coach Randy Epperly.

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MAN — Man High School’s Summer Sword is going to play at the next level.

The senior signed on recently to play softball at West Virginia State University.

Sword, the daughter of Debbie and Leonard Sword of Man, not only excels in athletics, but she strives as well in the classroom as she has a 4.5 GPA.

Sword plays volleyball, basketball and softball at Man and has been a four-year letterman, captain, and all-state in all three sports.

She plans on studying to biology at West Virginia State next fall.

Over the years, Sword has participated in the National Honor Society as Secretary, Beta Club as Historian, Prayer Club, Relay for Life, Academic Games, Math Field Day, Model UN, FCA, and travel softball for the Mountain State Baseburners.

Sword has recently been selected to play in the North-South volleyball game and has been named recently as the West Virginia State winner for the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award.

Sword said she would like to thank everyone that has guided her over the years, especially her family, coaches, and teachers. Her goal is to help lead young people and help them become more competitive in athletics.

West Virginia State, located at Institute near Charleston, has been one of the top softball programs in the Division II WVIAC for years.

The Yellow Jackets advanced to last year’s NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional but lost 3-0 to Kutztown (Pa.) and were eliminted by Indiana (Pa.), 3-2.

The WVSU softball team defeated Indiana (Pa.) 5-0 in the first round of the Atlantic Regional in Kutztown, Pa., in what proved to be the first ever win in the NCAA tourney for a Yellow Jacket softball squad.

Former Chapmanville Regional High School standout and Harts native Poppy Ramey singled to drive in two runs during the game. Ramey is a senior catcher/outfielder.

West Virginia State is coached by Bob Allen.