BURLINGTON – Lizi Bourdeau, a 2025 graduate of Missisquoi Valley Union High School and a college freshman, is the third member of her family to play for the University of Vermont club softball team. Bourdeau, a three-sport athlete in high school, is proud to carry on the family tradition with the Catamounts.
UVM club softball ended the regular season 10-2 and won the New England East Conference, qualifying for Regionals, which are held in Syracuse, NY, over the weekend of April 25. They will compete against UConn and Syracuse. Lizi Bourdeau ended the season with a .436 batting average and a 2.23 ERA.
Q&A with Lizi Bourdeau
Why did you decide to attend the University of Vermont? I knew I wanted to stay close to home, and UVM has a great Exercise Science program. I wanted to make sure I could get home when I wanted to and support my friends who are still playing in high school. I can also stay close to family. It’s the best of both worlds—I get the college experience, while also being able to get back to my hometown community.
What are you studying? Exercise Science, with the intention of getting my Athletic Training License. My goal is to stay in Vermont, live in Franklin County, and serve the athletes from the county where I grew up playing.
What inspired you to study in this field? In my freshman year of high school, during the second-to-last basketball game, I tore my arm muscles. I went to PT, and I liked that there was a way to help athletes get back to themselves. I tore ligaments in my ankle in senior basketball and did PT for three months. It was then that I knew I wanted to help athletes get back on the field, court, or ice—so they could play the sport they love.
Lizi Bourdeau (center) poses for a photo with her Missisquoi Valley Union High School teammates.
Have you completed any classes in your major? I’m taking a class called Foundations of Exercise in the Active Population, which focuses on athletes competing, injuries, and rehab. It’s cool to apply what I learn—I’ve got a friend on the softball team who’s in the same major, and we like talking about injuries and how we can apply what we learn. I’m taking a Kinesiology class next semester, where I’ll learn about hands-on application-stretching and how the body functions, which will be really interesting.
What was your inspiration to play on the UVM Club Softball team? Growing up, I knew I wanted to play softball after high school. When I was in middle school, my oldest sister Emily was on the club team and went to Nationals. I was amazed she could do that at the club level, and that it was so competitive there. My other sister, Ellie, also played. I knew if I went to UVM, I’d play softball, and even if I didn’t make the team my first year, I’d keep trying. I wanted to continue playing softball.
What have you most enjoyed about playing for the UVM Club Softball team? I love that I can still play the sport I love and make lifelong friendships with people from around New England and around the world. It’s also fun to travel to new places.
What’s been the most memorable part of your college athletic career? The team bonding experience has been the most memorable part of my college athletic career. We don’t stay at hotels; we try to stay at a teammate’s house when we travel, and it’s so fun to hear everyone’s different experiences with the game.
How has the family’s connection with the team enhanced your experience? Coming in, I was nervous because 45 girls were trying out, and only 5 made the team. A lot of the girls recognized me as Ellie’s sister. I’d talked to some of them at my sister’s tournaments. I’ve grown close with some of them who played with Ellie, and that’s been really helpful. The transition from high school to college is a lot. Having upperclassmen who love my sister and treat me like their best friend means a lot.
What are your goals for your time on the UVM club softball team? I want to continue to grow with the game and give back to the younger classes. This spring, I’m helping to coach the seventh-grade team at MVU. I want people to hear about the UVM club team, learn about the program, come watch the games, and enjoy the team. When I leave this program, I will have done almost everything I’ve wanted to do with softball. I won a state championship in high school, played on a college team, and have played travel ball with the Rockets for 8 years.
What are you most looking forward to about helping to coach the MVU seventh-grade softball team? I’m most looking forward to growing the love of the game for the girls. When I was their age, softball was my favorite thing in the world. I want to see them proud and happy about their success, and having fun. I know I put a lot of pressure on myself in high school. I want them to learn that a mistake won’t define their career. In my opinion, softball is one of the most fun sports, and I want to give back.
Do you have two experiences in high school softball that most defined the game for you? My senior year was my favorite. We didn’t win a championship, but I had so much fun and had so much confidence in myself. My coaches were my favorite ever—Bill and Connie Sheets, Meagan Rowell, and Emily Bourdeau—they always supported me and wanted the best for me. That made me realize I loved the game more than anything. Having supportive coaches can open your eyes to how much you love the game. Going to practice was the highlight of my senior year—getting better, hanging out with my friends, and competing at a high level.
What will you remember about winning the Vermont D1 Softball State Championship in high school? My favorite thing was that we grew during playoffs and picked each other up. We called each other sisters, and I remember the team chemistry during the playoffs. It was amazing. During the championship, I wasn’t performing well at the plate, but my teammates picked me up! I’ll remember we always had each other’s backs, and I truly loved that.
What does the softball culture in Franklin County mean to you? I don’t think I’d want to play softball in another county. I enjoyed it so much because I got to play with many girls from Enosburg and BFA-St. Albans for the Rockets travel softball team, and it was like a family reunion when we played against each other in high school during the spring season. It’s such a tight-knit community, because many of us are opponents in the spring, but you’re family in the summer.
How did your time with the Vermont Rockets in the summer help create an even better high school softball experience? On any club team, you build so many friendships with people from different schools. Getting to be best friends in the summer and opponents in school is very cool, but it can be stressful. You know how good they are. It shows how competitive Franklin County softball is. It’s so cool that we have the opportunity to play the game with people from other high schools, where we can build on one another and learn from different playing styles and coaches. I’ve learned so many things from other girls, and it’s made us better people and athletes overall.
Do you have any wise words for young athletes? Even if you’re scared—do it! Playing sports was the best experience of my life, and I’d do it again a million times. Don’t take it for granted; cherish the times. It’s going to be over, and you’ll wish you could go back.
Do you have any thank yous? I want to thank my family for always supporting me. I also want to thank my MVU softball coaches for believing in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. They helped give me the confidence I needed. I thank all my Rockets’ coaches for growing my love for the game and for helping me find my “Why” for why I’m still playing.
