The softball team started its season off strong earlier this week with a victory over Ponder. They’re in tournaments the next couple weeks and then district will begin next month.
The Memorial Messenger talked with coach Kylee Miller about her team’s goals, standouts and strengths for the 2026 season.
Q: What are the team’s goals for this season?
A: Just to learn how to work through hard things, work through challenges, games and practice. And you know, at the end of the day win as many games as possible.
Q: Any key player this season & any newcomers who will make a difference?
A: Olivia Vanderburg is a huge player & District MVP is returning. Madi Walker, our pitcher, is a great leader and girl in the circle. We have our returning second baseman Jaylynn Messer going in outfield mainly. Freshman Elizabeth Poirot who should be a really great addition. Really, everyone that’s new is putting a lot of hard work that’s exceeding our expectations.
Q: What are your expectations for the players?
A: My expectations for the team are for them to find a way to persevere through challenges, and at the end of the day, build characteristics that they can take after softball and school.
Q: How will you measure the team’s progress throughout the season?
A: We do a lot of stat tracking. So we watch those to see those progress and get better.
Q: What are the team’s biggest strengths heading into the season?
A: I just think as people they are all great kids, students, athletes. They’re building great relationships, which is a huge part. I think we have some really great leaders on our team that know how to talk and coach up their teammates.
Q: Thoughts on your competition?
A: We have a pretty good district. Our goal for district is to place higher. We try to put ourselves against some good teams throughout the season to get ourselves prepared so we should be playing some pretty good teams this year.