Lainey Bochette

The daughter of two coaches, Lainey Bochette can’t remember a time when sports weren’t present in her life. Her dad, a football, basketball, and softball coach at Hoosick Valley, has since moved on to coach softball at Russell Sage, but her mom still coaches at Hoosick Valley. As you might expect, Bochette has good memories of growing up in the Hoosick Valley athletic program.

“It was great. I would go to their practices and help out,” she said. “They’d let me watch their team meetings for football. I loved being around the older kids.”

With all the time spent around the program, it’s only fitting that Bochette would become one of the most accomplished athletes the school has ever seen. A three-sport captain, Bochette played a total of 16 varsity seasons across four sports. A natural leader, Bochette says she has led by example as a captain throughout high school.

“I work hard and always try to give my best effort in everything,” she said. “A lot of the girls respect how I hustle and go after everything. I also bring everyone in when times are hard and tell them, ‘We’ll be fine. We’ve got it.’ I feel like I’m a very calm and level-headed person, so it’s good for the team to have someone they can rely on who is consistently there and supportive.”

“Her talent is evident, but what truly separates her is her dedication to improving every day, her strong understanding of the game, and her ability to rise to the moment in high-pressure situations,” said Blake Bochette, Hoosick Valley Head Softball Coach and Lainey’s mom. “She makes those around her better, and her presence on the team has had a lasting impact both on and off the field.”

Bochette has the individual stats to solidify herself as a leader on the field. In softball, she earned 1st Team Wasaren League All-Star honors three times and was recognized as a Section 2 All-Star and a 518 Futures All-Star. In volleyball, Bochette accumulated more than 800 assists, over 400 digs, more than 200 aces, and over 150 kills while being named First Team All-Star twice. Along with an all-star honorable mention in basketball, Bochette even played golf in her senior season.

“From the moment she stepped onto the varsity court, it was evident that Lainey possessed a rare combination of athleticism, competitive drive, and volleyball intelligence,” said Dr. Sara Pipino, Head Volleyball Coach. “I trust her completely—not only to give relentless effort and refuse to let a ball fall without a fight, but also to uplift and encourage the teammates around her.”

Her success at the school she grew up in represents a full-circle moment for Bochette. From being the coach’s young daughter on the sidelines to leading the Hawks in multiple sports, Bochette now pays it forward by working with younger girls in her community.

“It’s really cool that now I get to be the leader and the oldest one, when I used to be the little kid looking up to all these girls,” she said. “Now I have younger girls looking up to me. It’s kind of crazy, but it’s rewarding to see how much of a difference I can make on the team compared to what I was watching when I was five.”

“What truly sets Lainey apart is her commitment to the next generation,” said Hoosick Valley Athletic Director Benjamin Capeless. “She has dedicated countless hours to mentoring youth girls for the Hoosic Valley Athletic Association and instructing younger members of the Capital District Fusion Travel Softball Organization, promoting confidence and skill development in young athletes.”

Bochette’s softball career will continue at the University of Buffalo next season, where she plans to study exercise science and become a physical therapist. As she enters this next chapter, Bochette takes pride in the work she’s put in to stay at the top of her game on the field and in the classroom.

“Being recognized as part of the 2026 CDSWOY class is amazing and a great accomplishment. I’ve always worked so hard across all three sports,” she said. “Over my high school career, I’ve had friends and teammates quit sports because it got to be too much for them. Winning this award really proves that never giving up and persevering through everything pays off in the long run.”