Vanessa is a graduate of Snohomish High School in Snohomish, Washington. She attended Penn State Beaver from 2016 to 2019 and was a member of the women’s softball team.

During her playing career, she was a 4-time PSUAC All-Academic, 3-time USCAA 1st team All-American, a USCAA 2nd team All-American, a 4-time PSUAC All-Conference, PSUAC Newcomer of the Year, PSUAC West Player of the Year, PSUAC West Pitcher of the Year and PSUAC Pitcher of the Year, and was a part of the 2010’s All-Decade Team for the PSUAC.  In her career, she had a .376 batting average, scoring 97 runs and driving in 117. On the mound, she had 63 wins and struck out 455 batters.   

After graduating, Vanessa continued her education, earning a master’s in Sports Industry Management from Georgetown University. Currently Vanessa is an Assistant Athletic Director here at Penn State Beaver, as well as an assistant softball coach.