‘Dreams do come true:’ Florida Vibe signs Neleigh Herring

Senior+Neleigh+Herring+smiles+to+her+team+aftering+winning+a+run+for+the+Shockers+during+the+game+against+Memphis+on+April+22.

Thy Vo/ The Sunflower

Senior Neleigh Herring smiles to her team aftering winning a run for the Shockers during the game against Memphis on April 22.

The softball team’s first baseman Neleigh Herring’s recent Instagram post says it all: “Dreams Do Come True.” Herring announced that she would continue her career with the Florida Vibe on Thursday.

The Florida Vibe is one of the newest professional softball organizations. The formation was announced in the summer of 2021, and they will begin to play in the summer of 2022.

The Vibe is located in Bradenton, Florida and the team will be made up of 16 Division I softball players. The Vibe’s goal is to provide a professional atmosphere and attitude while they aim to inspire both young and old fans to support each player.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue my career on the field and I’m excited to be a part of the Vibe organization,” Herring said in her release statement. “The game only continues to grow when people and organizations like them take a chance on female athletes and commit to furthering their opportunities to play while supporting them throughout the process.”

Herring will be coached by Maddie Antone, Kaci Clark Zerbe and the University of Central Florida’s Assistant Coach Kaija Gibson. Herring will be joined by players from Louisiana State University, Mississippi State University, the University of Oklahoma, the University of South Carolina and the University of Arizona.

While playing for the Shockers, the Oklahoma native played first base for the majority of her career. For her work with the Shockers, Herring was named to the 2021 NFCA All-Central Region second team, 2022 NFCA All-Central Region first team, and 2021 through 2022 first-team All-Conference American Athletic Conference.

“To Wichita State University, You’ve been my home for the last five years,” Herring said via Instagram. “I’m grateful for all the experiences I’ve had. The people that I’ve met and the relationships I’ve been blessed to share in will be something I cherish forever.”