why victory?
Our goal is to build strong, confident softball players by teaching them to be students of the game. Our all-encompassing approach emphasizes a fundamentally sound base of mechanics, strength and conditioning, and the mental game.
Our team
layla burczak
CO-OWNER +
HITTING AND FIELDING COACH
Layla grew up in Plattsburgh, New York as a three sport athlete playing softball for 17 years. She went to the University of Albany in New York to play shortstop for the Great Danes before injuries cut her career short. But her passion for softball kept her in the game and she has now been coaching and giving instruction in the northern Virginia area for almost a decade.
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She’s passionate about turning every one of her players into the best athletes and women they can be.
LACEY FORSTER
CO OWNER +
PITCHING, HITTING,
DEFENSIVE COACH
Lacey grew up in Pickerington, Ohio and has played softball all her life. After earning all conference honorable mention her final two years of high school Lacey attended Wittenberg University where she pitched and played outfield for the Tigers. Continuing her education at George Washington University brought her to Virginia where she continued coaching in the local recreational leagues and the Victory Senators travel organization since 2020. Lacey believes softball is about building strong women on and off the diamond and looks forward to continuing to give back to the sport that gave her so much.
Mckenna heim
PITCHING, HITTING, DEFENSIVE COACH
McKenna grew up in Davenport, Iowa as a multi-sport athlete in softball, basketball, volleyball, and track. She was a pitcher and three time All State shortstop in high school earning a spot to play for the University of Wisconsin. She battled through injuries and played for her team in any capacity she could to stay in the game she loves. McKenna helps athletes grow in every part of their game: pitching, hitting, and defense!
christina victor
PITCHING COACH
Christina grew up in Buffalo, New York playing softball and graduated from University of Buffalo with her doctorate in physical therapy. She has over seven years of coaching experience and looks forward to continuing her coaching career in her new home in Virginia. Christina offers group lessons and clinics for pitching and loves working with young athletes.
Sydney pelaez
CATCHING AND HITTING COACH
Sydney grew up in Tampa, Florida and was a multi-sport athlete playing softball, soccer, track, and swimming. In high school she led her team to three district championships as a catcher before attending Georgia Gwinnett College in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Sydney would catch 5 years for the Grizzlies where she would win 4 conference championships and go to the NAIA World Series twice. She was also first team all-conference her entire career winning both Freshman of the year (2019) and Player of the year (2023). While at GGC Sydney would be named both NFCA All-American (2022,2023) and NAIA All-American (2023), as well as NFCA Diamond Sports Catcher of the Year in 2023. She also excelled in the classroom and was a CSC Academic All-American 3 times capped off by being named the CSC NAIA Academic All-American Team Player of the year in 2023. Now retired and new to the northern Virginia area, Sydney hopes to give back to the game that gave her so many opportunities by empowering young women to be the best they can.
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GRACE CHAVEZ
CATCHING AND HITTING COACH
Grace was born in Arlington, Virginia, and at seven relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada, where she would spend the rest of her childhood. When Grace was seven she joined the Summerlin little league where she played baseball. At the age of twelve, she switched to playing softball and joined several different travel teams in Las Vegas, such as Rage, Blast, and Lil Rebels. Grace was a four-year letter winner at Palo Verde High School. During her four years at Palo Verde, she was all-state and then went on to play for Virginia Tech. At Tech she was a designated hitter and in 2020 earned VaSID First-Team All-State for hitting in 2020. Academics were a priority for Grace and because of this, she was on the All-ACC Academic Team in 2021, 2022, and 2023. In 2021, 2022, and 2023, Grace was a recipient of the NFCA All-American scholar athlete award. By teaching young women about softball, Grace hopes to show them how it can help them meet new people, face challenges, and pursue a higher education.
campbell hutcherson
Honorary Instructor:
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HITTING, DEFENSIVE,
SPEED & AGILITY COACH
Campbell grew up in North Carolina as a phenomenal multi-sport athlete, eventually being recruited to play softball at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill where she played for five years. She graduated with degrees in Sport Administration and Coaching and is certified as a personal trainer. She took up coaching as the volunteer assistant at University of Virginia in 2021 and accepted an associate head coaching position at George Mason University in 2023.
