News Photo by James Andersen Recent Rogers City High School graduate Kyley LaFleche, seated, recently signed a letter of intent to join the softball and women’s basketball programs at Alpena Community College. LaFleche, who was part of a successful program at Rogers City is the latest Huron to join the Lumberjacks and is excited to join her new teams.

Kyley LaFleche has plenty of reasons to be excited for the upcoming school year.

The recent Rogers City High School graduate will get the chance to play basketball and softball at the collegiate level after recently signing with Alpena Community College. By signing with the Lumberjacks, LaFleche will get a chance to prove herself among college competition, play with new and talented teammates and have the chance to make a lot of new friends.

“I’m honestly just really excited. I can’t wait for the season. I’m excited that I get with Linnea (Hentkowski) and make a bunch of new friends,” LaFleche said.

LaFleche, who plans to study criminal justice, knows that finding a balance between school and sports will be a challenge as an incoming freshman. But after spending the spring and summer trying to stay active after the cancellation of the spring high school sports season, LaFleche is ready to get going.

“It’s been different, very relaxed with not a lot going on. I’m excited to get to school and starting getting out. I’ve been trying to work out a little bit,” LaFleche said. “I’ve always wanted to (play collegiately). I’m really excited that I signed to do it. My mom played and I’ve always wanted to get to this point I’m at right now. I’m super excited for the season.”

As a Huron last season, LaFleche was part of the 2019 team that made a run to the Division 4 semifinals under coach Karl Grambau; a season where LaFleche was Rogers City’s starting second baseman. LaFleche is hopeful that the Lumberjacks can have similar success once their season begins in the spring.

“He’s a really good coach and I’m grateful for him. He’s always pushed me really hard and he knows what I’m capable of,” LaFleche said of Grambau. “Playing for Rogers City was really (fun). I’m really grateful for it. I’m hoping to have success here at ACC too.”

In the last few years, several Rogers City players including Alissa Bowden, Catheryn Hart and Hentkowski have signed with the Lumberjacks.

On the basketball court, LaFleche provided leadership for a young Rogers City under Duane Pitts and averaged 11.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and two steals per game in her senior season as a leader in the Hurons’ backcourt. At ACC, LaFleche should give the Lumberjacks depth at guard.

To deter the spread of COVID-19, ACC’s basketball teams will begin play in January and the softball team should begin play in March or early April.

While she wasn’t able to play her senior softball season due to COVID-19, LaFleche has stayed active by running over the last several months and is excited to join her new teammates.

“I’m excited about that too. I’ve played with a couple people, but I’m excited to kind of grow closer to them because softball’s a good way to make new friends,” LaFleche said.