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A lot of athletes enter high school with hopes of making it onto their varsity sports team. Some do it to make new friends, to put it on their college applications or just because they love the sport.

And some do it in hopes of playing in college and pursuing the sport as a career.

With role models such as Tiger Woods, Serena Williams and LeBron James, many young athletes are eager to follow in their footsteps.

Some athletes are so serious about their sport, they have personal coaches and practice on their own after their school practice.

Leah Poehner, a junior at Lord Botetourt High School, said that during the season she often devotes up to 15 hours a week to softball.

"I go to a hitting coach once a week during the off-season, and sometimes during the season if he's needed. I go so that I can improve my skills," she said.

Poehner has been playing softball since elementary school. She has played on travel teams and also her high school team. Poehner made the Lord Botetourt varsity softball team as a freshman.

"I tried out for varsity because I wanted to play at a higher level and gain that experience," she said.

It is difficult to get a scholarship and play at the college level, especially on a Division I team.

Matthew Smith, a senior at Lord Botetourt, has earned a $15,000 scholarship to play soccer for Division III Hampden-Sydney College. "I am very excited. I have been playing all my life and I am thrilled I get to continue playing in college."

Poehner is still trying to seal the deal.

"I've contacted probably about 50 colleges and almost all of them have replied," said Poehner. "I don't want to go play for all of them, but I do it so I can get my name out."

Most coaches prefer to watch players' skills during the summer or when their sport is out of season, Poehner said.

Even if Poehner doesn't receive a scholarship, she knows it doesn't mean her dreams are over.

"I mean I'll take whatever I can get, as far as scholarships go, but I also would definitely play intramural in college or coach or something if I'm not on a team," she said.

Intramural teams give college students a chance to play sports but leave more time for other activities.

Another option for an athlete who doesn't receive a scholarship is to try out for a college team as a walk-on. Dustin Pickle, a graduate of Salem High School, made the Virginia Tech football team as a walk-on his freshman year and received a full scholarship before his senior year.

Poehner, a catcher for her high school team and an outfielder for her travel softball team, wants to play for Virginia Tech.

"I would love to play for Tech, but right now I'm just contacting a bunch of different schools."

College sports can require significant commitment. Most colleges have strict guidelines for their players; sports often leave athletes with little free time, but it may all pay off in the long run. Jennie Finch, Poehner's role model, started playing softball when she was 5, and it was her pitching in the 2004 Olympics that led America to a gold medal.

Today's professional athletes were also in high school once and dreamed of going pro. Which just goes to show that a player has to start somewhere.