Spring Break
Westerwinds eager to put preseason rank to test
Feana Kotter
Issue date: 2/13/08 Section: Sports
| |
|
For the second consecutive season, Van Vlymen's softball team has been ranked No. 1 in the Summit League's preseason poll. As she looks toward the ceiling in her office, her face shows how much the recognition means to her and the team.
"I was excited," she said. "It felt really good."
Although the Westerwinds are still practicing inside due to the moody February weather, Van Vlymen said the team is hitting well in practice and working on fine-tuning its defense. She added that while indoor practices are a good way to see how the players are performing, they do not compare to playing on the field.
"We just need to get out there and play," she said. "I understand it gets hard … but you have to put your armor on, as we say, and go through it."
Luckily, neither players nor coach will have to wait much longer to hit the field. Beginning Thursday, the 'Winds will face opponents such as Northern Iowa, Drake and Iowa at the Metrodome Tournament in Minneapolis, Minn.
Van Vlymen said this series of games will be "very telling" of what she and the players can expect for the rest of the season.
Senior pitcher Kamren Ferguson said she is excited about returning to the Metrodome to play with old and new teammates alike.
"It'll be exciting to see everyone else's faces," she said.
Ferguson will begin this season with a new catcher behind the plate. Catcher Erin Schlotfeldt is currently recovering from a torn ACL and will most likely miss a large number of games.
"It's going to be tough without her," Van Vlymen said.
Enter freshman Nikky Marinec. If Ferguson is worried about throwing to a new catcher - and a freshman - she is not letting it show.
"She's working really well to get adjusted to everyone," Ferguson said.
Ferguson also said being a freshman has nothing to do with the job Marinec has in front of her this season.
Van Vlymen agreed with her star pitcher, noting the dynamics forming between the two. She said Marinec has a strong arm and will work well with Ferguson.
"I think she'll definitely keep Kamren going," she said. "They'll be good (together)."
A solid battery will help the team this season as their schedule is stocked with both tough conference and non-conference opponents.
Among the Summit League teams, Van Vlymen said Southern Utah, North Dakota State and Centenary will be worthy challengers to her team. Ferguson agreed, saying Southern Utah "always puts up a good battle."
Among non-conference rivals, Van Vlymen said Northwestern is a good team and will bring out the best in players on both sides. According to Van Vlymen, Northwestern's softball coach called Western's softball team fighters and said they play with heart.
"It was a great compliment," Van Vlymen said.
As the softball team prepares for another busy season, Van Vlymen said she feels the dynamics among players will be rewarding.
"It's exciting to watch them," she said. "Our girls are good at communicating with each other."
Both Van Vlymen and Ferguson said the team is worthy of its preseason attention.
"We're fun to watch," Ferguson said. "It's a fast-paced game (and) something new to watch."
Van Vlymen said the attitude of the team is what she is often in awe of.
"They're not just playing a game," she said. "They're living it."
Be the first to comment on this story