With spring comes showers, flowers and long hours of softball. Softball season is right around the corner and the team is more than ready to take on the season.

“I’m looking forward to making playoffs,” senior Haley Sams said. “I think we have the best team that we’re going to have for the next few years.”

To make it to playoffs again, the girls first have to face off against their rival teams. The team defeated Plano Senior last year and hopes to do the same this upcoming season.

“Our biggest rival is Plano,” Sams said, “but we need to play the best against Lewisville.”

The team practices every day during seventh period and after school in order to prepare. Because the girls spend so much time together, practices are always fun for them.

“Our team chemistry is our greatest strength,” junior Gabi Hancher said. “We hang out 24/7 so it’s always fun to just be with each other.”

Hancher has been on Varsity since her first year as a freshman. Now that she is finally an upperclassman on Varsity, the dynamic has changed.

“Last year I had pressure to pick things up and focus,” Hancher said. “But this year it’s a little bit more relaxed.”

Other players such as senior Lauren Lloyd feel that their impact on the team has shifted too. Being a senior on the team entails more authority than expected.

“Last year we were still upperclassmen but we didn’t have responsibility,” Lloyd said. “This year we have to take care of everyone. It’s hard to boss your friends around.”

Because the girls are such good friends, sometimes practices can get off topic.

“We need to focus,” senior Lauren Lloyd said. “Because of how close we are, we goof off a lot.”

Despite having one season left, Lloyd is still pretty excited to end her final season with a bang.

“I’m looking forward to finishing my last season strong,” Lloyd said. “I’ve been on the team since freshman year.”

The season officially kicks off on March 1, with their first district game. However, the girls will have had scrimmages all month long.

“My teammates are my favorite people ever,” Lloyd said. “They’re the best part about softball.”