College of Idaho and Emmett High star Katie Zillner is getting the chance to play on.

The All-American pitcher who led the Coyotes to the NAIA Softball World Series last spring, leaves for Germany on Monday where she'll play semi-pro softball.

"I think it's exciting," said C of I coach Al Mendiola, who coached Zillner for three season. "... That just tells you the reputation that she had."

Also an outstanding outfielder and hitter, Zillner though her competitive softball career ended at nationals, and she started her post-competitive life as an assistant coach for the Skyview girls basketball team.

But she realized, she still missed softball.

"It's so exciting, I wasn't ready to be done at nationals so now I get the opportunity to not be done," Zillner said, adding that she also wasn't quite ready to work five days a week.

"And I wasn't ready to be a big kid, so I just put my name out there on a website and had a couple coaches contact me."

Zillner's reputation garnered her attention, as Mendiola adds that Simon Fraser coach Mike Renney asked the C of I skipper if Zillner was available to play for the Canadian National Team last summer, but she couldn't as she isn't a Canadian citizen.

But she can play in Germany, and will on a semi-pro team where the American players are the only ones who get paid.

The season will last 6 months, with a game or two each week, Zillner said, adding that softball is "fairly new over there so they're trying to recruit players, American players that can come over and coach as well as play."

A great opportunity for Zillner, and one for other area softball players to aspire to achieve.

And a nice bit of recognition for the Coyotes.

"It's good to know there is a College of Idaho athlete out there taking it to the next level," Mendiola said.