Randolph College – the University of Lynchburg – one a sophomore – the other a senior.
Both colleges are in Lynchburg, Va. Ella is a sophomore, Randolph – and Maddy is a senior.- Lynchburg.
Both start on their teams – Maddy a wing and Ella midfielder.
Sad this most likely will be the last game they play against each other – but as a family – MEMORIES!
Captains meeting midfield – Ella middle on left in white – Maddy on the right – middle in black.
Shaking hands
And then THE HANDSHAKE AMONG SISTERS! MEMORY!
And then the procession out onto the pitch – Number 10 white – Ella and number 13 black – Maddy.
For us as grandparents and as mother and father – there is no winner and no loser !
For the granddaughters – bittersweet as for the second time – Maddy’s team has won.
Ella never came out of the game – and she has now started and played every game as a freshman
and now as a sophomore – the only freshman to accomplish that.
She will be a very good player when it is all said and done.
Maddy is ending her career for a third straight year as a starter.
Lynchburg has gone to the NCAA tournament for 16 straight and won a national title in 2016.
Wearing the same numbers all the way through – youth – travel and HS teams.
Since they both could walk with their father working with them on ball handling and passing – shooting and footwork – they both take the corner kicks for their teams.
Today Ella has grown so tall – almost 5’10”
Maddy will graduate in Engineering Science with now a 3.85 GPA!
No one lost here – proud parents Debby and Mike – the tradition of the family – love of soccer and life.
Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD and WHEN SISTERS MEET ON THE SOCCER PITCH!
We all met in Lynchburg to watch the grandaughters play soccer – the next day we went for a hike. This park was real close to where we stayed in the Airbnb.
There were many hiking trails off of the park paved path.
I did not have the shoes to hike in so we stayed on the path.
The trail is not long but requires some climbing up and down steep inclines.
It goes through the dense woods and above the James River and looks like it has access to the river.
While this was closed for the season – a locomotive and caboose – as the rails run all through this area for transportation along with the river in it’s early years of forming Lynchburg Va. There also are FOUR colleges here –
Liberty University – Sweet Briar College – Randolph College and the University of Lynchburg.
Sarah checking out the warning sign as some of the area is fenced off near steep inclines.
The incline here is close to a couple hundred feet almost straight down.
The trail does make its way down with a narrow zig zag path.
Not for anyone who has a fear of heights like me!
Debby Papa Sarah
Sherry climbed the steps up to a beginning of a trail and said it led to a very dark dense forest!
This platform was some 25 feet above us!
A view of the train trestle across the James river.
It was a nice way to spend a few hours in the afternoon.
Later we picked up Ella so she could spend the night with us –
Maddy had practice and a lot of school work to do.
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It all started many years ago – youth travel teams – Maddy two years older –
They played together until Maddy left the travel team in Winchester –
to compete in the Ludoun soccer program 65 miles away!
She made this choice on her own as soon as she could drive.
It was soccer hot bed right outside Washington DC.
Ella remained as she was too young to travel that far.
She also suffered a broken bone in each foot different years that had her not playing.
Maddy secured a spot in the try outs and maintained a above 4.0 GPA all through HS.
Maddy selected University of Lynchburg to continue her soccer playing.
Today they are ranked nationally in the top 25 in Division III and at this date – 11 – 1.
Ella number 10 – was recruited by two colleges and selected Randolph College
She now plays for the Wildcats which are situated across town in Lynchburg Va.
Ten minutes from Maddy and the campus of the University of Lynchburg.
As a Freshman – she has started every game and played all the minutes except two per game!
Maddy number 13 – played 13 games as a Freshman and has started as a Sophomore and a Junior.
Here – Ella is about to get the ball and Maddy number 13 is guarding her.
In all these years this game is the first time they have ever competed against one another.
Here they are in the middle at the top – it was a very good game – tough – no one scored in the first half.
Each half is 45 minutes – and ended up 0 to 0 at the half.
Ella – number 10 – tallest in the starting line up – the difference was the bench – Lynchburg kept throwing fresh players into the game.
Because of the Pandemic and covid –
the coach could not travel to recruit – Ella was recruited before the pandemic!
She plays midfield defense – the coach wants her to shoot – five times a game instead of always passing.
She is young and it will come – she plays so effortlessly.
As soon as he can he puts her back in after she rests for two minutes.
So proud of Maddy number 13 who drove herslf 65 miles each way to practice – so she would get noticed – and now plays on a team that is ranked in the top 25 in the nation at Division III.
She is fast – quick and plays attacker both left and right and midfielder in the front.
You can just tell she has the skills – the coach tells the team –
with Maddy do the 1 – 2 – do not worry – she is fast enough she can break for the goal – just get her the ball – this is where she passes back to the middle and breaks for the front!
SISTERS – Ella – number 10 Maddy – number 13
Proud parents – Mike and Debby
Ella made the shirts representing both schools and their mascots and colors – she is such a artist!
Ella and Maddy – Randolph and Lynchburg – sisters going head to head.
Lynchburg gutted out a 2 to 0 win –
scoring both goals late in the second half –
they just had a stronger bench.
Sarah – sister – freshmen in H.S.
Sarah – will turn 15 later this month – she could of played soccer – but had no interest and will run track.
She already is just above six and one half minute miler.
She played soccer when younger and also was fast and good.
OH MY! Here Sarah is first day of H.S. and Ella first day of college and soccer!
Now – Maddy is also in college – her third year of classes and also playing soccer!
Life is changing – Deb and Mike – from three girls at home – to now just Sarah.
The twin girls – soon to be 11 years old and Bode – soon to be 8 years old.
Are also growing up so fast – and so we live on through them!
Sarah growing up – almost as tall as Ella who is taller than Sherry at 5′ 9″ !
She is now in her first year of H.S. following in the footsteps of the other two. She also could of been a really good soccer player – but has chosen the arts as her focus – dance – acting – and writing!
She looks to me just like her mother Debby!
Full of life – independent – caring – and gives her dad a run for his money! LOL
Fashion – make up – leader in trends – this is Sarah!
Full of life – she wanted grandma to take her to NYC – now I think it is Paris!
She will walk her own path in life – always looking forward.
All three of these girls – are like this – never asking just giving – helping and caring for others.
Ella from her dorm room on campus of Randolph College in Lynchburg Va.
Her picture is her first day of classes and her first day of soccer practice.
She will compete against her sister Maddy in the same cofference – and Maddy is at
The University of Lynchburg – right across town from Ella!
Maddy played in 15 games as a Freshman and was a starter her Sophomore year.
Our calender is marked for when they play each other.
We hope to plan a long weekend to see them both.
Ella is so excited – on her own – no pressures from peers – just being Ella and playing soccer and taking classes.
As you can see in the picture – smiling – gentle – caring – “TINY” as we called her – all grown up!
And then there is Papa – Thomas David Fitzsimmons – graduating in May – 1967 – all those years ago.
My best H.S. friend – bottom right hand corner – Bobby – who we have reconnected the last ten years –
who in October will come for a visit – with his wife Pam – and we will play golf – beach it –
and just be talking of old times past!
Thank you for reading Papa’s World
WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY – FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!
A few short years ago – Maddy ( finished Sophomore college) Ella – (enter college in fall) all grown up now!
Maddy has been named to third team in her conference playing soccer – as a Sophomore she was in the top five on her team in four different categories –
Ella – is playing her last soccer for her senior year – undefeated – and aiming for states. She is one of five or six off her team to have signed letters of intent to play in college – she will be attending Randolph College and in the same conference as Maddy.
Ella – Papa – Maddy – it seems like just yesterday – we were the support team for their mother and father and uncle and Tammy and Sherry running the ten mile Cherry Blossom Race in Washington D.C. – where we stationed ourselves to welcome them all across the finish line! Here we are in our front yard before we left for D.C. They were troopers – following me around – standing up on a bench so they could watch the race! Carrying clothes – back packs – water bottles – everything needed for the finish line that day in May.
As the years passed – Sarah came along – the baby little sister – always making the older two laugh.
She has a way about her – always the forefront of fashion.
Wants her grandma to take her to N.Y.C. to see Broadway and shows!
Sarah – Maddy – Ella and Papa – Christmas eve waiting to go to bed – and wake up for Christmas morning!
I miss those special times – all three sitting at the top of the stairs – waiting for their parents to get up – smiling – laughing – such great kids and polite.
Today – we are scattered – us being in S.C. Maddy – coming home from Lynchburg Va.
Ella completing her senior year of H.S. and Sarah about to enter H.S.
Papa with Maddy at one of her early travel team games – she went on to driving herself 65 miles each way for practice three times a week to join a more elite travel team where we lived in Loudoun county , Va. catching the eye of college coaches – now playing at The University Of Lynchburg in Va.
Thinking back to the early years – the smallest one out there with a skill set – determination and quickness. I always thought she should of gone into track as she ran a 5:40 mile and did not train much!
Now – today all three are so tall – athletic – Maddy at 5 ‘ 6″ Ella at 5′ 8 1/2 ” and Sarah almost to 5’ 8″ ( 15 years old soon)
I miss those days of the three little ones – giggling – laughing – on the trampoline – hiking – soccer – dance – running –
being little girls – climbing up into my lap – singing songs as I picked them up!
Today – they are young ladies with their grandma – the little ones are gone but not forgotten – MEMORIES!
Thank you for reading Papa’s World
WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY
FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!
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PAPA’S WORLD – when they were little – now all grown up!
Ella – our second oldest granddaughter – enrolling in Randolph College in Lynchburg Va.
We called her “TINY” as she was growing up –
Her father came up with that nickname –
Today she stands 5′ 8 1/2 ” –
Our little girl is all grown up!
Along with her entrance into the four year program – she will also play college soccer – being recruited – she had two schools to select from – and it just so happens to be cross town from the University of Lynchburg – where her sister starts on the soccer team there – and yes they will compete against one another!
Ella with her mother Debby – all three granddaughters are as tall or taller than their mother. Debby’s mother – Sherry – is 5′ 9″ – so they are most likely inheriting the Swedish genes from her.
It is a beautiful campus – nestled in the foothills surrounding Lynchburg.
The soccer field a easy walk from the dorms.
Ella with her father Mike.
She endured two injuries during her Middle school and H.S.
Both were broken bones in her feet.
One she was stepped on with a cleat
and the other she just landed wrong on it.
She lost two seasons of playing soccer
but when she did – was recruited by two different colleges.
Today she walks the path to her future!
Due to the Pandemic – her H.S. soccer season was moved from the fall to the spring.
She is about to begin playing –
Her travel soccer was played although the number of games reduced.
She competed and will move onto the next level in the Fall.
They play sports – the two oldest – soccer – and one is in college playing
and the second – next fall will do the same.
The youngest is into dance – loves the arts – and wants to go to NYC!
When they were little – Sarah – Maddy – Ella with their father and mother.
All three love their Grandma – laughing with her and at her!
She loves to take them shopping – getting nails done and ear piercings! Here – Sherry – Sarah – 14 years old – Maddy – 20 years old – Ella – 17 years old – Sherry is 5′ 9″ tall – they all are tall!
We took Sarah and Ella for a week to the beach last summer –
We took Maddy to swim with the Manatee’s for her 16th. birthday
We took Ella to Disney Star wars for her 16th. birthday
And now when Sarah reaches 16 – she wants to go to NYC and Broadway!
I will sit that one out – her mother can take my place!
Maddy has made the leap to college – now in her Sophomore year
as a Freshman she played in 13 games at the University of Lynchburg – Va.
And has maintained a GPA – over a 3.85!
She just played this past weekend – having one assist –
one barely missed assist and one barely missed shot on goal.
They won 2 to 0!
Mike Debby Ella
Ella will finish her H.S. soccer this Spring –
She had two colleges to pick from and choose Randolpf College in Lynchburg Va.
Just across town from her sister and they will compete against one another!
Maddy Ella Sherry Sarah
Sarah is all about fashion – no interest in soccer at all!
Although when little – she played as well as her older sisters!
She loves to dance in competitions when younger and shows.
Her goal is one day to create fashions and design – produce movies – acting!
All three are like this – beautiful on the inside – smiling on the outside – living life to the good.
Thank you for reading Papa’s World
WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY
FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!
ELLA MADDY SARAH
MY SITE: PAPA’S WORLD MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog