Extra Elite 100 teammates Chaney Peters and Sophia Taliaferro recently talked to Extra Inning Softball about playing for softball standout India Chiles — the former Tennessee All-American (2004-07) and Vols coach — in the Fury Platinum program as well as being a part of powerhouse high school programs, concluding the recruiting process, and their own softball journeys.
Chaney—a 5-foot-5 third and second baseman—just recently made her verbal commitment to the University of Illinois, and Sophia—a 5-foot-6 utility player and catcher—did the same, committing to Syracuse University.
Collectively, for Coach Chiles’ team, they have been a dynamic pair.
Since the beginning of last summer, the duo has accounted for more than 25 percent of the hits and almost 30 percent of the runs scored by their team. Defensively, they are the team leaders in assists and each has contributed big defensive plays during bracket play of tight games to help their team win.
Here’s more on this dynamic duo!
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EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT Q&A
Names: Chaney Peters & Sophia Taliaferro
Hometown: Trussville, Ala. / Vienna, Va.
High School: Hewitt-Trussville, Trussville, Ala. / Bishop O’Connell, Arlington, Va.
Club Team: Fury Platinum National – 16U Chiles
Grad Year: 2024
Twitter: @chaneypeters24 / @staliaferro17
Extra Inning Softball: How did you each come to play for India Chiles and how would you describe her coaching style?
Chaney: Some of my teammates and I picked up with Coach India’s 18U team in Atlanta at the Veterans Showcase in the fall of 2021. The next season, my team merged with some players from Coach India’s organization, and we formed Fury Platinum National – Chiles. I would describe Coach India as a tough coach but only because she knows what you’re capable of and expects you to play to those standards. She is really good at pushing you to be better while also making you feel valued.
Sophia: I first met Coach India at a slapper nation clinic in New Jersey when I was eleven. I was just starting to hit left-handed, and my dad took me. From there, I did lessons with her over Zoom and I saw her twice at her training facility in Tennessee, once in Virginia when she came here for a clinic, and another time at a team practice she came to for the organization I was with.
Two years ago, I took a break from softball after a few mentally tough seasons. When I decided to start playing again, I discovered Coach India had started her own fastpitch club (Southeast Championship Training) and was the head coach of an 18u team. I guest-played with her 18U team in the fall of 2021 and have stuck with her since.
Extra Inning Softball: Can it be intimidating playing for a legend of the game?
Chaney: Though playing for a legend like Coach India may seem pressure-filled and nerve-racking, it’s completely the opposite. Yes, she always pushes us to be our best and she is able to get through to us after having also experienced the recruiting and travel ball processes. Coach India has been so helpful to my teammates and me because of her widespread connections and the wealth of information she brings to our team. I think Coach India’s relatability and her ability to understand the emotions the recruiting process brings sets her apart from a lot of coaches in travel ball.
Sophia: I haven’t ever felt intimidated playing for Coach India. In all the years I have been coached by her, she has never compared players to who she was. She doesn’t talk about her career success or force her players to strive for her same achievements. India sees each player as an individual with different skill sets and goals and helps them to build their own paths. For this reason, I have always seen India as a supporter, rather than someone I need to impress.
Extra Inning Softball: Chaney, you play for Coach Taylor Burt—the 2020-2021 NCSA National Coach of the Year—at Hewitt-Trussville High which is a softball powerhouse in Alabama. What’s the vibe in a program that successful and what are your goals this year?
Chaney: Playing for Hewitt-Trussville has been such a huge factor in my growth not only as a softball player, but also as a person. The winning culture and playing for someone as highly respected as Coach Taylor has taught me extremely useful skills like being disciplined and having a good work ethic. Going to practice and workouts knowing our locker room is filled with so many nationally ranked players has taught me to never settle and that I can always get better. Kenleigh Cahalan, an alum of the school, is the hardest working person I’ve ever played with and has shown me what it takes to be great.
Just like every other year, we are going to workouts at 5:45 in the morning, running after school, and practicing everyday with the mindset that the state championship will be ours at the end of May. Because we came up short in the championship game last year, it left a bad taste in our mouths, and you can almost feel the intensity we go in with every day in order to come out on top again.
Extra Inning Softball: Sophia, you also play for a historic program at Bishop O’Connell under another great coach: Suzy Willemssen. What have you learned from Coach Suzy and what are you and your team expecting to accomplish this season?
Sophia: Something people may know about Coach Suzy is that she is incredibly open-minded. In softball, she has taught me that I should never assume that I have learned all there is to know. Coach Suzy is always seeking new information about the game. If she finds that something she has been teaching is proved to be wrong, she will immediately adapt. A quality like this can be hard to find. I have met a lot of coaches who take pride in their methods and refuse to change their way of doing things.
Oftentimes, coaches like this take severe hits to their ego when their methods are questioned or found to be wrong. Something else about Coach Suzy is that she will never tell you that your form or technique is wrong. In other words, if a player were to disagree with something Coach Suzy told them, she would let them do their thing. She is not one to force change on anyone, even if she knows it will benefit them. One thing she always says is, “Be curious, not furious.”
Also, Coach Suzy encourages people to try and figure out someone’s story, before assuming the worst of them. This lesson has been impactful on me, as I am someone who jumps to conclusions quickly and becomes accusatory when I get angry.
Not counting the COVID year, Coach Suzy has won a State Championship each year she has been the head coach at O’Connell. We have a great returning senior at pitcher (Katie Kutz) and lots of really good players around her on the team, so our goal is another state championship.
Extra Inning Softball: Chaney, you just recently committed to the University of Illinois. Why the Fighting Illini and what was your experience like with the recruiting process?
Chaney: Illinois just felt right when I visited in early December. I loved the coaching staff, and the facilities were amazing. The biggest pull factor for me is the fact that they are the 13th ranked public institution in the country while also being ranked in the Top 40 for softball and continuing to climb.
In recruiting, my biggest advice is to never get discouraged. The process is so unpredictable, and it happens so fast that you almost never know who will reach out next. For example, Coach India reached out to Illinois at our last fall tournament and within a month I was going to tour the campus.
The biggest game-changer in my recruiting was being open to going away from home. While I understand it’s not for everyone, being flexible in what schools you’re willing to go visit or camp at makes you so much more marketable and attractive to college coaches.
Extra Inning Softball: Sophia, you just made your decision to commit to Syracuse, but you were being actively recruited by a number of schools. What did you learn along the way that could help other athletes navigate the recruiting process?
I learned that a lot of the process is just a matter of timing, and that the connections you have through your coaches are extremely important. My biggest advice is to avoid comparing yourself to other players and stay focused on yourself rather than getting caught up in who’s committing where. I also think it is important to put yourself out there as much as possible and make sure you stand out during games, and at camps.
Extra Inning Softball: Any thoughts at this time on what each of you would like to study or what your areas of interest are for future occupations?
Chaney: I have always wanted to be a lawyer. My strengths are English and History, and a law degree is definitely geared in that direction. At this time, I think I want to be a Sports Agent, so a major in something like Recreation, Sports, and Tourism (which Illinois offers) would allow me to do that.
Sophia: I think I may want to be a lawyer because I communicate well with others, am good at analysis, and am extremely competitive. I love to win arguments, so it seems like a natural path for me!
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THE DUO’S FAVORITES
Favorite Tournament Experiences:
Chaney: My favorite tournament experience was the Alliance Fastpitch Nationals in Westfield, Indiana last summer (2022). While yes, both my team and I played well, it was unlike any other experience I’ve had. I will never forget walking into the park and seeing softball legends like Patty Gasso and Carol Hutchins.
Sophia: My favorite experience was my first big National Tournament as 14U player. My team was playing at the Diamond 9 Showcase in Orlando Florida at the ESPN Sports Complex. I hit a game-winning double off the right center fence to beat a Corona Angels team while a lot of college coaches were watching.
Most Memorable Softball Moment:
Chaney: Last summer (2022) in Colorado, I remember being kind of frustrated because I would open my Twitter feed and see clips of home run after home run. It seemed like I was going to leave Colorado with a lot of balls hitting the fence but none going over. In our second bracket game of the tournament, I got up to bat with 5 minutes left and my team down by 3 with the bases loaded. I hit a grand slam over the left field fence. I will always remember my teammates faces when I rounded third base!
Sophia: My most memorable moment was in 10U. I had been in a hitting slump. So, I told my Dad I needed some motivation and I asked if I could get a dog if I hit a home run over the fence. At the time, I was the smallest player on my team. In my first at-bat during our next game, I hit my first home run. I now have a wiener dog named Homer.
Ideal Vacation Spot:
Chaney: My dream has always been to go to Paris, France.
Sophia: The Maldives- I’ve always wanted to stay in one of the cute little villas on the water
Pets… Yea or Nay?
Chaney: Yes! I have two dogs, Ridley (white lab) and Henry (black lab).
Sophia: Homer, my wiener dog!
Other talent/skill that would surprise people?
Chaney: If you ever need an escape room teammate, I’m the person to call.
Sophia: I used to be a competitive gymnast in both artistic and rhythmic gymnastics.
