High school softball season has officially arrived for area schools after being abruptly canceled during the middle of last season due to COVID-19. For the Calallen Lady Cats , they now have a greater appreciation to be able to play the game they love so much.
"It's great to be back," said Lady Cats left fielder Jasmine Pena. "We enjoy being around practice and playing again because we know it can be taken away so quickly and we never realized it until it actually happened."
"Coach Lentz has always told us that nothing is guaranteed, so we are so thankful for everything we have," said Lady Cats shortstop Raegan Tennill. "We look forward to a brand new season."
Calallen returns seven players from the team that advanced to the class 5A state championship game two years ago. They appear built for another championship run. "We have almost a perfect mix of talent," said Lady Cats head coach Teresa Lentz. "We have some great seniors along with some very talented underclassmen and what those seniors have is that intangible of knowing what it takes to get to the state tournament. I have some eager and hungry players ready to do whatever it takes to get there."
The returning seniors all agree this team could be very special again this year. "We do have the capability to getting back to state only because we work hard," said Pena.
"I think if we push ourselves and push our teammates we will definitely get back to Austin," said Tennill.
That long journey to Austin begins February 16, when Calallen opens the regular season.
