The Lady Knights are trying to improve their softball IQ. Last year, the team’s record was 20-11. The team’s record is currently 8-1 as of press dead.
With such a young team, the Knights face a tough challenge, because there are only two seniors: Rilee Vest and Andrea Potts. The rest of the team consists of three freshmen, two sophomores and six juniors.
“[The team] has really strong individual players. We just have to come together and play as a team,” junior McKinzie Mangers, said.
The Knights are up for some stiff competition this year in the new conference.
“Sycamore and Yorkville are going to be good competition because they both won regionals and beat us last year,” varsity softball coach Brian Willis said. “We are working on our fundamentals and working on defensive [skills].”
There are new coaches this year, including assistant coach Kim Hunley, who was a record-breaking golfer at WIU, and assistant Mike Kuefler. Brian Willis is the returning coach from last year and coached a successful team last year.
During spring break, the team traveled to St. Louis and played one game against Triad High School, which they lost. They also played in a doubleheader against Jerseyville.
Key players this year are junior Katy Dudzinski, the current homerun leader, with four runs so far. Sophomore Allyson O’Herron is also a key player because she makes a lot of diving plays and stops a lot of groundballs at short. Senior Andrea Potts has been named “Player of the Week,” has scored three homeruns and has a full ride scholarship to Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.
The Lady Knights have many strengths, including “motivating and keeping each other up and in the game,” sophomore Taylor Velasquez said, but they need to work on “talking and communication as a team and working together.”
Another challenging factor for this team to face is the fact that last year’s pitcher, Delani Vest, isn’t returning.
“Her spot will be filled by someone else who will step up and do the job,” Willis said.
“My goal for this season is for us girls to grow as a team, play hard and have fun,” Velasquez said.
The next varsity game will take place at home against Morris High School at 4:30. Next week, the Knights play at DeKalb High School on Tuesday at 4:30 and at Sycamore High School at 4:30 on Thursday.
