High School Champs Win College Title, Head to NCAA Tourney

Two young women who made history at their high school just proved that champions keep winning, no matter what level they play.

Olivia Silva and Bre Fontes helped Joseph Case High School in Swansea, Massachusetts win three consecutive state championships, something the program had never done before. Now they've brought that winning energy to UMass Dartmouth, where they just clinched the Little East Conference tournament title with an 8-3 victory over Rhode Island College.

The win sent the Corsairs to the NCAA Division 3 tournament for just the fourth time in program history. Silva, now a junior, went 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI in the championship game. Fontes, playing her first college season, contributed a hit and two RBIs.

The tournament run was dramatic. After losing their opening game, the Corsairs won five straight games in the loser's bracket over three intense days of competition.

Both players are thriving in college. Silva is batting .359 this season with 51 hits, 2 home runs, and 29 RBIs across 41 games. Fontes is hitting an impressive .389 with 44 hits and 28 runs scored in 39 games. She even earned Rookie of the Week honors during the season.

Why This Inspires

Small town success stories like this remind us that the skills we build in our communities can carry us far beyond our hometowns. Silva and Fontes didn't just dominate at Case High School. They brought their work ethic, teamwork, and winning mentality to the next level.

Their former teammate from nearby Diman High School, Kacie Lynch, also played on the championship team. The three local athletes formed the core of a squad that won UMass Dartmouth's second-ever conference title and first since 2023.

The Corsairs face Stockton University on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. in the opening round of regionals at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The double-elimination format means their season could extend even further.

Silva was named Herald News Softball Player of the Year three times in high school, while Fontes captured the honor in her senior season. Now they're writing new chapters in their athletic careers together.

From hometown heroes to college champions, these athletes show that excellence isn't a one-time achievement but a habit that travels with you wherever you go.