The IVCC women’s softball team knows that they are going to have a target on their back this season after making a run to the JUCO National Playoffs this past May.

With a challenging schedule ahead, the Lady Eagles boast only three returning sophomores, to go along with nine new players, including eight incoming freshmen.

Coach Cory Tomasson’s expectations for the season are familiar to the team. “We have the same goals as every year. Our first goal is to win regionals and go to nationals.”

With a tough schedule, the path to Nationals this year will not come easy. Sophomore leader Mackenzie May and Allison Korsan commented on the season ahead.

“We need to take our confidence that we ended with last year and continue to build off that,” sophomore pitcher May mentioned.

Korsan added, “The target is going to be on our back now because of how far we made it last year.”

Experience will be a central issue this year for the Lady Eagles, especially early on. As aforementioned, the Lady Eagles only return three sophomores (May, Korsan, and Annie Miller), and boast nine new players. Coach Tomasson was asked about some potential breakout stars within this year’s team.

“Every person, from starters to pinch-runners, plays an important role. They all know their roles and thrive at contributing in whatever way they can win.”

The jump from freshmen year to sophomore year is also a challenging aspect facing two of the expected team leaders.

Korsan and May both know that their roles are going to change this season, and they are both trying to find ways to up their leadership skills and take on the challenge of being team leaders.

“Last year, it felt different being a freshman. We took on the follower role and were pretty quiet. It’s definitely time for both of us to start taking more of a vocal role, and become the team leader that we both followed last year,” Korsan and May both added.

As usual, the Lady Eagles face a very tough schedule, with the likes of Carl Sandburg, Madison, and Sauk Valley.

In order for the IVCC team to succeed, it will be important for the club to continue their growing confidence from last year.

The Eagles softball team opens up the season on March 17 in Florida against Cuyahoga Iowa Lakes.