Athlete of the Week

LebCo Athlete of the Week: Amelia Valle

by
Dan Rau
October 27, 2026

Featuring photography by Angela Miller Imaging

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Amelia Valle

Not every game-changing performance shows up in the box score. For Palmyra sophomore Amelia Valle, one of the most important assignments of her young field hockey career involved making sure one of the nation’s top players stayed out of it.

During the week of October 12th, Valle was tasked with defending Northwestern commit Chase Strohm when the Cougars faced archrival Lower Dauphin in a highly anticipated matchup of nationally ranked programs. Palmyra entered the contest ranked 7th nationally, while Lower Dauphin sat just behind at No. 8.

The assignment was significant. Strohm, the reigning Mid-Penn Commonwealth Player of the Year, has been one of Lower Dauphin’s most dangerous offensive weapons. Valle was given the responsibility of shadowing her throughout the 60-minute contest, limiting her opportunities and disrupting the Falcons’ attack.

Valle delivered.

Her defensive effort helped Palmyra hold Lower Dauphin to just 4 shots on goal, setting the stage for senior Leigha Kane to convert a penalty stroke with 1:38 remaining and secure a thrilling 1-0 victory. The win improved Palmyra to 17-0 and helped secure the No. 1 seed in the District 3 Class 2A Tournament, while Valle’s performance earned her LebCo Athlete of the Week honors.

For Valle, the opportunity came with plenty of nerves, but also a chance to contribute in a unique way.

“Against LD, I got the opportunity to man-mark Chase,” Valle said. “It definitely made me nervous knowing the pressure and responsibility I was given, but it was a really unique way to support my team that not everyone gets a chance to do. I was happy I was able to contribute to such an important win for our team against a strong rival.”

Palmyra head coach Kent Harshman was particularly impressed by the sophomore’s ability to execute such a demanding assignment.

“Amelia is selfless. She is always willing to put in the work and play whatever role is asked of her in order for the team to be successful,” Harshman said. “She is one of the most disciplined players we’ve ever had come through our program.”

Harshman believes that discipline, combined with Valle’s preparation and conditioning, made the performance possible. He specifically praised “her ability to defend and hold scoreless one of the best players in the country for 60 minutes.”

Valle’s willingness to contribute in different roles has been an important part of another outstanding season for Palmyra. The defending PIAA Class 2A State Champions captured the Mid-Penn Keystone Division title and put together a remarkable 17-0 start, including victories over New Jersey powers Seneca and Shore Regional. Although the Cougars dropped a 2-1 overtime decision to Mechanicsburg in their regular-season finale, they enter the District 3 Tournament as the No. 1 seed with their sights set on defending their District and State titles.

For Valle, being part of such a talented group means finding ways to contribute wherever she is needed. She prides herself on using her speed, stamina, and field hockey skills to help the team while maintaining a positive attitude.

Her personal goals are equally team-oriented. As the postseason approaches, Valle wants to continue improving her individual play while doing whatever she can to help Palmyra succeed.

Harshman believes her attitude and willingness to embrace difficult assignments make her an invaluable part of the program.

“You could say she is the unsung hero of our team, rarely having her name in the box score, but today we are excited for her to be recognized!” Harshman said. “She is tremendously well respected by her peers and the entire staff, and we are extremely proud of her!”

Although just a sophomore, Valle already has considerable field hockey experience. She has competed in USA Field Hockey events, including the Junior Olympics and Nexus Championships, gaining opportunities to test herself against talented competition beyond the high school level.

Her athletic interests also extend beyond field hockey. Valle has played lacrosse in previous years and is looking forward to trying Track & Field for the first time this spring.

Athletics have long been part of the Valle family. Both of Amelia’s parents competed in various sports, helping inspire her competitive spirit. Her father was recognized as a high school athlete at the state level and later boxed competitively at the University of Notre Dame.

Looking ahead, Valle is beginning to explore college opportunities that would allow her to continue playing competitive field hockey while pursuing her academic interests.

Away from competition, she enjoys spending time with friends, watching Marvel movies, listening to music, and trying new foods. Noah Kahan is currently her favorite artist, and she also enjoys adventurous activities such as riding roller coasters and parasailing.

For Valle, the excitement of competition is one of the biggest reasons she loves participating in sports. Equally important, however, are the relationships that come with being part of a team.

“I enjoy the camaraderie of being on a team,” Valle said. “Also, I love the adrenaline of competing and pushing my physical limits.”

She is especially appreciative of the coaches and teammates who have trusted her with new responsibilities, along with the family and friends who continue showing up to support her.

As Palmyra prepares for another postseason run, Valle has already demonstrated that a player’s greatest impact isn’t always measured in goals or assists. Sometimes, it comes from accepting a difficult assignment and doing whatever is necessary to help the team win.

The Cougars will begin their District 3 title defense on Tuesday, October 27th, hosting No. 16 Susquehannock in the opening round.

Congratulations to Amelia on earning LebCo Athlete of the Week honors, and best of luck to her and the Cougars as they pursue another District 3 and PIAA State Championship.