Words by Anna Lee Vaughn | Images by Ryan McGill and Courtesy of University of Alabama Athletics
Curry High School senior Ambrey Taylor is making waves in the softball community.
At just 17 years old, she has already won state and national championships, earned multiple All-American titles, and committed to the University of Alabama softball team.
As Ambrey looks forward to her promising softball career, she reflects on what sparked her love for the sport.
“My older sister played softball. And I looked at her as my idol because she’s my older sister, you know? And, from then on, I just loved it. I started playing t-ball when I was four or five, but I didn’t truly find my love for softball until I was about eight,” says Ambrey. “I played little league for a while, and then I started playing travel ball because I wanted to play it as much as possible, more than just school ball or little league.”
Over the years, Ambrey has built an impressive record of awards, championships, and recognition for her dedication and skill.
She is a member of the Birmingham Thunderbolts travel team, with achievements that include winning the Premier Girls Fastpitch (PGF) National Championship in Huntington Beach, California, and being named a MaxPreps All-American athlete. She has played for the PGF All-Americans twice.
At Curry High School, Ambrey was named the 2023 Player of the Year, MVP of her 2022 State Championship game, and earned All-State honors throughout her high school career. She was also recognized as a Super All-State USA team member, a distinction awarded to only nine softball athletes statewide.
Her latest honor was being selected to play as a North South All-Star athlete. She traveled to Montgomery for the game, where she received lots of new gear and met other athletes her age. Her future coaches at the University of Alabama were also in attendance.
Ambrey describes being recruited for UA’s softball team as “like a dream come true.”
It was the third recruiting call she received and the third school she visited, but it only took one visit for her to fall in love with the campus, the people, and the opportunities.
With her senior year of high school underway, Ambrey’s goals include preparing herself for the future while continuing to share her passion for the sport with those around her.
“This upcoming season, I am truly working on myself to be prepared for Bama. I also want to help coach the younger girls and teach them more about school ball. My main goal is to improve myself and help make everyone else around me better for this upcoming season,” says Ambrey.
With her humble attitude, passion for the game, and dedication to teamwork, Ambrey Taylor is sure to have a bright future in softball and inspire those around her with what it means to be a true winner. WL
