Another Bettencourt has decided to continue her athletic career in college — and she’ll be doing it alongside her oldest sister. Peabody High senior Lizzie Bettencourt has committed to play softball and volleyball at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine.
She originally planned to only play softball, but just last week, learned that playing for the Bobcats’ volleyball team was also an option. She will join her oldest sister, Isabel, a junior, on both teams. Older sister Abby Bettencourt, a sophomore, currently plays softball at Brown University.
“I was planning to play softball and then thought: Why not reach out to the coach and see if they were interested in me for volleyball?” said Lizzie, daughter of Mark and Lauren Bettencourt. “I sent some film and found out last week they wanted me. I’m excited about playing on both teams and I’m also relieved to have the college decision behind me. It’s a huge sense of relief.”
Lizzie also considered Endicott College in Beverly, but decided Bates was the place for her after an overnight visit.
“I really like the campus,” she said. “With my sister there, I’ve been on campus a lot, so it’s very much a familiar place. The academics are great and as soon as I did an overnight, I knew that’s where I wanted to be.”
Lizzie will leave Peabody High with 12 varsity letters. A four-year volleyball starter at outside hitter, she served as a captain last fall. A Daily Item All-Star, she earned Northeastern Conference All-League and team MVP honors. She led the Tanners in kills (361), aces (73), and was second in digs (207).
She’s also a captain and four-year member (three-year starter) on the varsity basketball team.
This spring, she will serve as captain of the softball team for a second consecutive year. Known for her power, the first baseman and four-year starter led the team in average (.508), hits (33), RBI (31), runs (36), and home runs (11), despite having been intentionally walked on a regular basis.
“I think I walked 20 times, which was frustrating because I’m not going to hit a home run in every at-bat,” Lizzie said. “But I guess I do understand why they do it in a way.”
Lizzie earned 2025 Daily Item All-Star and Northeastern Conference All-League honors, as well as team MVP honors.
Peabody softball coach Steve Lomasney believes Bates is getting a good one.
“Bates is getting one of the best power hitters in New England,” he said. “She hits for power and average, but more importantly, she is one of the best teammates and competitors I have coached. She is a tremendous leader by example and this will all translate to a very high level collegiately.”
She also excels in the classroom, where she currently ranks second in her class with a 4.13 GPA. By the time she graduates, she will have taken 13 Advanced Placement courses, earning AP Scholar with Honors and AP Scholar with Distinction designation along the way.
A Smith College Book Award winner, Lizzie has received the National School Development Council Award of Academic Growth and Student Leadership and Learning. She has been named to the PVMHS Honor Roll: Exceptional Honors list for students with an ‘A’ or higher grade in every course for her entire high school career.
The treasurer of the National Honor Society, Lizzie serves as a presenter for the school’s SOS (Signs of Suicide) program and is a Student Leadership Summit leader. A founder of PVMHS Unified Sports, Lizzie is a member of the Save Promise Club, DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America), Math Team, Community Service Club, Yearbook Club, Model UN, and Peer Mediation group.
Community activities include volunteering with the United Borders and A Shot for Life organizations, as well as helping out Peabody youth volleyball and softball clinics.
As if all of that isn’t enough on her plate, Lizzie stays busy in the offseason, playing for the MGA Volleyball Club and Polar Crush Softball Club.
Her favorite thing about softball is having “control of the game.
“It’s more laid back in that you can rely on your team, but I love that you can rely on yourself in both the physical and mental parts of the game,” she said. “It’s very much different from volleyball, which is so fast paced. One mistake doesn’t define the result because you always have a chance to win that next point.”
Lizzie said she knows playing two sports in college will be a challenge, but is up for it.
“I know I need to come in strong and put in a lot of work this summer to be ready,” she said. “I have to prove myself. I need to know I’m here because I’m me and I’ve earned it — not because of my sister. I want to prove we both deserve to be there.”
