Like every other high school senior, Iola’s Nissa Fountain was denied a final season in her beloved spring sport of softball.
But luckily for this senior, she will have four more years of softball to look forward to at Ottawa University.
For the last two years, Fountain had been responsible for bringing one of the top bats and gloves into the Filly lineup. In 2018, Fountain nearly set Iola’s batting average record, slugging her way to a .491 average with 18 RBIs, seven doubles, and two home runs while earning All-State honors.
Last year was a step back behind the plate for Fountain, finishing the season with a .288 batting average, 12 RBIs and three doubles. Still, she was a menace in the field, committing only five errors on the season. 
Heading into 2020, the expectations were high. And after a first week of practice this season, Fountain was already feeling her All-State groove once more.
“I was super excited, because my sophomore year I was really close to setting Iola’s batting record,” Fountain said. “So, I was planning on doing that this year, and at practice I was hitting really well, and was excited.”
The dreams of another season did not last very long, as the Fillies’ first week of practice would be the only one they got.
“At first I wasn’t really worried about it, because I will get to play in college,” Fountain said. “Then one day, it just hit me, and I bawled for three days straight after realizing I won’t get to play with my friends that I grew up with. Ever since we were little we played ball together, but I won’t get to do it again.”
Even with over a month having passed since the canceled season, the sting still resonates for Fountain.
“I’m feeling better about it, but it’s still disappointing,” Fountain said. “It really just is disappointing, but I know all my friends are going to be alright and do stuff with our lives.”
Fountain won’t be without softball for long after signing with Ottawa University, an NAIA program that competes in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. The achievement is a dream come true for a girl who has always had a love for softball.
“My dad has played slow-pitch softball, and stuff like that, so he was kind of my inspiration,” Fountain said. “Him and his friends were out there having fun, and I wanted to do it. Ever since then, all my friends have played it and I realized how good I could be.”
She picked that trait up from her father Robbie, who is filled with pride after watching all of his daughter’s work culminate into the finished product. 
“We are very proud of her,” Robbie said. “We have pushed her really hard, and taken her to all these tournaments all these years. She has worked hard, learned great things, and we are just proud of her.”
Fountain has spent countless hours improving her game since childhood. Most recently, she competed on a travel ball team in Kansas City. Fountain made the trip three times a week to compete with some of the state’s finest talent.
