Zak, a recent graduate of Grand Valley State, signed with the Crushers on June 16. Though he has never played professionally, his former teammate Brad Zambron was Zak’s source for a spot in the Frontier League. Zambron is in his second season pitching with the Crushers.

PHOTOS: Lake Erie Crushers vs. Gateway Grizzlies, June 23, 2015

‘He was kind of my connection here,’ Zak said. ‘Then he started talking to Mong (Manager Chris Mongiardo), let him know that I had some interest in coming here and things kind of went from there and made it happen.’

Zak and Zambron played together for two seasons before Zambron joined the Crushers for the 2014 season. Zak hit a career .377 at Grand Valley State as he slugged 13 home runs, 98 RBI and swiped 21 bases. He earned first team all-GLIAC, Rawlings all-Region, all-GLIAC Tournament team and NCBWA all-America Honorable Mention honors his senior year.

‘Hard work pays off,’ Zak said of the most important lesson he learned playing college ball. ‘That’s probably the biggest thing. We spent a lot of time in the offseason preparing ourselves for the season. I think that led to a lot of my success and team success.’

Zak received additional preparation during the summer when he played in summer collegiate leagues to stay sharp. The Novi, Michigan, native spent one summer in Ohio with the Chillicothe Paints, part of the Prospect League. He also played two seasons with a team in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

With just one week of professional ball under his belt, Zak has plenty to learn. The biggest difference he has noticed between college and pro ball is the intensity.

‘Everyone is bigger, faster, stronger,’ Zak noted. ‘The game moves a little quicker. Another difference is, this is everyone’s job so everyone takes it a lot more serious and everyone works harder. Everyone’s pulling for the same thing.’

At the plate, Zak noted the spike in velocity from pitchers. The adjustment may take some time, but he’s receiving plenty of help from teammates, especially Zambron.

‘It helps a lot, just having someone to show you the ropes from day one, and kind of let you know about the ins and outs,’ Zak said. ‘But everyone else has been great. They’ve all been friendly and welcoming and made me feel part of the team.’

On June 23, Zak recorded his first Frontier League hits, going 3-for-6 with three singles and an RBI as Lake Erie erupted for 15 hits amid an 11-1 victory over Gateway.

Starting pitcher Zach Morton notched his first win after tossing five scoreless innings in which he surrendered four hits, two walks and struck out five.

The Crushers plated three runs in the second inning while Gateway was held scoreless until the sixth as first baseman Ben Waldrip doubled, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a balk by reliever Brad Duffy.

Lake Erie rallied for four runs in the seventh inning, highlighted by a three-run double down the right field line off the bat of catcher Emmanuel Quiles. In repeat fashion, left fielder Trevor Stevens doubled to right to plate Quiles. Stevens ended the evening 3-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI and a walk.

Four more Crushers touched home in the eighth inning as shortstop Juan Sanchez added a two-run single en route to a 2-for-5 evening.

The Chico, California, native is in his first season with the Lake Erie Crushers after spending 2014 with the Alpine Cowboys, an independent team in Alpine, Texas. The Chico State alumnus has also spent time in Wisconsin and Arizona, but he said he hasn’t noticed much difference in the various places he has seen.

He also noted the melting pot that professional baseball brews, bringing players from beyond Prott’s West Coast roots.

‘As the season has caught on, we’ve started to mesh a lot more,’ Prott said. ‘When we first came in, we’re all from different parts of the United States, different parts of the world, really. We have different backgrounds and everything, so it just takes a while for everyone to start meshing together, to learn the tendencies and start playing games as a team instead of individuals.’

Prott has had a solid start individually. As of June 17, the outfielder has hit.279 with two home runs, three RBI and two stolen bases through 13 games with the Crushers. His success has carried over from 2014, where he hit .360 with 10 home runs and 65 RBI through 66 games for Alpine, part of the Pecos League.

Prott’s approach at the plate has been as simple as remaining consistent.

‘I’m just trying to stick to a routine,’ Prott said. ‘All of us baseball players have some sort of routine that we go through every day, whether it’s eating breakfast or what we do before batting practice, whatever it may be.’

Prott’s routine is simply finding ways to relax, whether it’s listening to music or taking reps in the batting cage. The key, he said, is to avoid overthinking.

‘There’s so many aspects and so many dimensions to it that if you start letting all those overwhelm you, you’re just going to fall apart,’ he said.

As Prott works to keep his swing and mindset consistent, he also hopes to meet his goal – sign with a major-league affiliate. Until then, he will do his part to contribute to the Crushers’ record, which sits at 10-17.

Defense remains Prott’s biggest strength, but his first year in the Frontier League has required some adjustments in the batter’s box.

‘The pitchers have a little more control and are able to throw offspeed in any count they want, so it’s just that adjustment of not necessarily guessing the pitches, but being able to handle a fastball or offspeed pitch in any count,’ Prott explained.

On June 18, Prott was 0-for-2 during a rain-shortened game as the Crushers fell, 3-0, to Florence after five innings.

All three Florence runs scored in the fifth inning off Lake Erie reliever Zac Treece. Starter Zach Morton went four innings, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out six.

Freedom third baseman Steve Carrillo led off the fifth inning with a single down the left field line and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Sean Mahley added an infield single before Daniel Fraga hit an RBI single to right. With two out, Austin Newell, doubled home two more runs for the 3-0 lead.

The game was called in the top of the sixth inning.

Stevens, fresh out of college as a recent Northwestern grad, signed with the Lake Erie Crushers June 2. Though he’s five hours from his hometown of Glenview, Illinois, Stevens’ family is never too far.

Stevens’ older brother, Trevor, is also part of the Crushers’ infield, though he was placed on the seven-day disabled list June 9. Their father, Paul Stevens, was the head coach at Northwestern before retiring after Cody’s senior season this year. Right-hander Zach Morton, signed by Lake Erie June 12, also played at Northwestern from 2009 to 2013.

The Stevens brothers played together under their father for the Wildcats for three seasons, though injuries have impeded their time on the diamond together.

‘We’ve gotten a little chance here, then I showed up and he (Trevor) got hurt again,’ Cody Stevens said. ‘Maybe I’m his bad-luck charm. But it’s been fun. It’s nice getting some guys in here that you know and then you just kind of meet new people as the season goes along. You kind of just spread the kind of people you know in the game, and that’s always good.’

Though he has just two weeks’ experience with the Frontier League, Stevens has made a seamless adjustment. The infielder leads the Crushers with a .296 average, 8-for-27 through eight games.

‘I’m enjoying it,’ Stevens said. ‘It’s been fun so far. We kind of got thrown into the fire with that long road trip and most of the guys have been good so it’s kind of been a smooth transition from college coming here. It’s a little different getting a paycheck but that’s a good upside to it.’

Stevens noted similarities between the Frontier League and collegiate summer ball, which has made the adjustment easier.

‘It’s just baseball and you just go out there and have fun,’ he said.

Stevens’ approach at the plate has also remained the same from his college days. He doesn’t overthink, overswing or overcomplicate things.

‘I’m just trying to hit,’ he said. ‘It’s hard to explain hitting. It’s kind of just you see it and you hit and if you think about it, that’s when it starts going bad.’

The Crushers entered June 16 9-15 after struggling to score during a tough three-game stretch and seven-game home losing streak. The recent struggles haven’t fazed Stevens, who noted having family close helps him keep his head high. Stevens’ father has managed to see a handful of his sons’ games, especially with the Frontier League stretching into Illinois territory.

‘You always have ups and downs in this game and with your dad and your brother there, there’s always someone to be like, ‘Hey, this is one game or one at-bat,” Stevens said. ‘They’ll pick you up. They’re always there to help celebrate your highs but then you know you’ve got another game the next day or another at-bat 30 minutes later. It’s kind of staying level-headed and you’ve always got someone there who knows what you’ve been through and what you’ve gone through.’

On June 16, Stevens was 1-for-3 with a single as the Crushers defeated the Florence Freedom, 2-1, at home.

Florence struck early as Mason Salazar led off the game with a walk and scored on a double to left-center by Collins Cuthrell.

Lake Erie tallied seven hits, highlighted by a five-hit, two-run second inning.

Jose Barraza and Frank Desico led the inning off with consecutive singles before Ty Nelson delivered a one-out double to plate both runners for the 2-1 lead. Meanwhile, Lake Erie starter Brad Zambron tossed 4 1/3 innings, yielding one earned run on five hits, three walks and five strikeouts.

Edwards, a Massillon native and senior at Valparaiso University, has hit a team-leading .526 through his first four games with the Ironmen, who dropped the first four games of their season.

Through 19 at-bats, Edwards has driven home three RBI and scored four runs. He’s struck out twice. The second baseman credits his hot start as momentum from a solid spring season with the Crusaders. Through 51 games, Edwards hit .262 for 29 RBI and 31 runs for his junior season.

Keeping a cool head has been the core of Edwards’ approach at the plate.

‘I had a good season in spring ball, and I feel like I finally found my swing,’ Edwards said. ‘I just stuck to it coming into summer ball. I’m staying relaxed and just trying to have fun with the guys out here.

‘I’m going in there, just staying relaxed and looking for fastballs early in the count. In summer ball, the other guys aren’t trying to throw curve balls early on, just fastballs, and I’m trying to hit those hard.’

In his first season with the Ironmen, Edwards said he’s noticed a handful of differences between collegiate season and summer ball. From a younger group of players to the laid-back atmosphere, Edwards has already noticed the benefits of summer ball.

‘I notice a lot of difference out here,’ he noted. ‘I play with a younger group of guys out here. The experience has really helped me to just relax and not get frustrated early on in the year. We’re only four games in, and I’d say the experience has helped me out.’

Edwards noted his numbers so far speak for themselves, making his hitting his biggest strength. He doesn’t have any particular goals set for himself, other than to keep the hits coming.

Though the start to Lorain County’s season has been slow, Edwards noted the Ironmen aren’t pressing.

‘We’ve got a long summer ahead of us. We’re just trying to get that first win. Once we get that, we’ll start rolling from there,’ he said.

The Ironmen hope to start rolling now. On June 11, Lorain County notched its first win, a 2-1 victory over Galion in Lorain County’s home opener.

Edwards was 1-for-3 at the plate, a performance that included a single to left to lead off the game. He also walked and struck out.

Galion took a 1-0 lead in the third inning as catcher Zach Gunter drew a leadoff walk and shortstop Kevin Shrock laid down a sacrifice bunt. Center fielder Brandon Wright picked up an RBI with a sacrifice fly to center for the lead.

Lorain County leveled the score in the fourth as shortstop Sam Kohler reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on a single by right fielder Cole Nieto.

Galion starter Matt Sullivan settled in beyond that, going 7 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on six hits, three walks and four strikeouts.

The Ironmen severed the tie in the eighth inning as third baseman Cody Calloway reached on a one-out fielder’s choice. Sullivan issued a pair of walks and catcher Zack Bires delivered the final blow, a single to shallow center for the 2-1 lead.

Josh Sours will take over the Cardinals’ girls varsity team, making him one of two new Brookside soccer coaches. Former Elyria Catholic girls coach Tony Rozanc was recently named the boys varsity coach.

The position will be Sours’ first high school job. But he has 10 years’ experience coaching youth and travel soccer. He also has plenty of experience in the Brookside community. Sours is a 1993 Brookside graduate and his daughters, Hannah and Madison, both play varsity soccer.

Taking over the program will have an easier transition for Sours, considering he won’t have to make too many introductions.

‘I’ve coached all these girls growing up, up to high school, so I thought it’d be a good fit,’ Sours said.

Hannah, now a senior, and Madison, a junior, have been a vital duo on the Cardinals’ soccer team. Sours said he has no concerns coaching his own daughters.

‘They might have more concerns than me,’ he said, laughing.

Sours has no intent to incorporate any major changes. Instead, he simply wants to continue to improve upon the program’s foundation.

‘(Former coach Zoran Cancar) built it up and kind of left it in good shape, so I just want to continue on with what he’s done and try to improve our conference record and try to win conference,’ Sours said.

Brookside finished 4-5-1 in conference play last year. With the passage of the recent levy, Sours said he doesn’t feel any added pressure to field a successful team. Instead, he feels excitement.

‘The levy passed, people are excited about that and excited about keeping the sports program,’ he said. ‘With all the excitement, it will be a good thing to win games and have a winning program there.’

As a father, Sours also plans to emphasize the importance of academics.

‘My kids got the scholar athlete awards and that’s great,’ Sours said. ‘Good grades and playing sports is a hard thing to do and I’d like to see all the girls on our team be scholar athletes.’

Though Sours will shift focus to the high school level, he still intends to continue cultivating the area’s youth interest.

‘Right now, we have a good youth program going and I want to make sure these kids keep the soccer culture going,’ he said. ‘I think that’s the biggest thing that’s happened for our area. Now, soccer’s become a lot bigger than what it was.

‘As an alumni, I want to bring back to our players what it means to be a Cardinal.’

On June 9, Edwards was named the Lorain County Coaches Association Senior Player of the Year. The Avon senior was also named Lorain County Miss Softball one week ago.

‘It’s been one of my goals to win both of them,’ Edwards said. ‘I did and I’m really excited.’

Edwards was also named the Lorain County Division I Pitcher of the Year, recording a 10-5 record, 1.48 ERA and 100 strikeouts in the circle. At the plate, she batted .383 for 22 RBI and 23 runs this season. She received West Shore Conference Player of the Year, first team WSC, scholar athlete and Northeast District Honorable Mention honors.

Edwards said her favorite moment from her senior season was beating WSC rival Midview for the third time. Avon finished first atop the WSC, its first conference championship in 39 years.

‘It was probably our toughest game of the season,’ Edwards recalled. ‘It was just an all-around team effort, everyone contributed.’

‘It was hard because I thought that was going to be the end of my season.’

Edwards will continue her playing career at Otterbein while studying systems engineering. Her successful high school career has her feeling optimistic.

‘It just gives me more confidence and I’m just excited to hopefully win some more in college,’ she said.

Edwards received her award before the 2015 Lorain County All-Star game at Wellington Community Park.

Two teams of seniors, divided into Red and Purple, competed one last time on the diamond as the Red team won, 5-4, in a nine-inning contest.

The Red team took a two-run lead in the third inning as a pair of fielding errors, a sacrifice fly to center by North Ridgeville’s Ashley Helmink and a single by Firelands’ Alexis Shick gave the Red team the 2-0 edge.

One more touched the plate for the Red team in the fourth inning as another fielding error proved costly. Elyria’s Angelique Prunty reached on an error and scored during a rundown during which Elyria’s Madison Fullmer singled and was caught between first and second before safely returning to first.

The Purple team rallied for three runs in the fifth.

Edwards led off with a single, part of a 2-for-3 evening at the plate. Keystone’s Liz Hayes reached on an error and Avon’s Ally Sumser doubled home Edwards. Midview’s Trish Koleski doubled to center for two RBI to even the score at three.

The Avon duo accumulated another run in the seventh inning as Edwards singled to center and scored on a single by Sumser. Edwards also pitched two innings, surrendering one run on three hits and two stirkeouts. Amherst’s Zoe Beetler and Oberlin’s Hannah Rasmussen also pitched for the Purple Team.

After Vermilion’s Jennifer Kovarik singled and scored on Anna Daly’s single, the Red team tied the score at four.

Cue Columbia’s Kailey Minarchick, who doubled home Clearview’s Erin Isenberg for the go-ahead run in the eighth inning. Minarchick ended her evening in the circle, striking out the side in the ninth to secure the Red team’s win.

‘I think it went really good,’ Minarchick said of the game. ‘My catchers, even though I didn’t know them very well, they did very good.’

Isenberg also spent some time in the circle for the Red Team.

‘It was definitely an adventure,’ Isenberg said. ‘I hadn’t pitched in about a month. … It was fun. It was definitely a challenge but it was fun.’

Daly, who recorded two hits and an RBI, said the experience of playing with the area’s best players was a special experience to end her high school career.

‘It’s like an honor,’ Daly said. ‘I feel like you always talk about, ‘Oh I know this person, I know that person,’ and then you’re like, ‘Oh my God, I’m playing on the field with this person.’ … It was very fun. I would definitely do all four years again and then play it again.’

But that doesn’t mean he’ll be spending time away from the hardwood.

Pending board approval June 9, Januzzi will be named Firelands’ new head boys basketball coach.

Januzzi is a Firelands district resident of 18 years. He spent the past four years as the head boys basketball coach at Lutheran West, part of 18 years of coaching experience. He also spent time as an assistant coach under Steve Lias at Firelands five years ago. Januzzi will replace former coach Brett Bartlett, who resigned to accept a coaching position at Big Walnut High School in Sunbury, Ohio.

‘When the position became available, I thought it was a good opportunity to get closer to home,’ Januzzi said. ‘Lutheran West, where I was, is a good 30-35 minute drive every day. It’s a great school district. … Just with the experience of knowing the Firelands community and the school, it was just a great opportunity.’

Januzzi is acclimated with the Firelands community, but he noted he still needs to spend time getting to know his team. Januzzi has already scheduled some practices and trips to Cleveland State, Tiffin and Mount Vernon Nazarene. He also hopes to lend a hand to the area’s youth program.

‘I’m trying to reach out to not only the kids in the high school program, but try to do some things with the junior high kids later in the summer, and in the fall, do some skills clinics with elementary kids,’ Januzzi said. ‘I’m just really trying to establish relationships with these kids, identify leaders and start to establish culture moving forward.’

Januzzi isn’t the only member of his family taking his talents to Firelands.

Januzzi’s son, Dominic, played off the bench under his father at Lutheran West last year. Dominic will transfer to Firelands for his junior year. As a resident of the Firelands area, Dominic will be eligible to play immediately.

‘I had a great four years at Lutheran West,’ Januzzi said. ‘It was very difficult to leave but at the same point in time, myself, my family, we’re just very excited about being able to contribute back to the community that’s been good to us for 18 years.’

Januzzi’s time at Lutheran West provides plenty of familiarity to the Patriot Athletic Conference. Lutheran West finished 14-2 in conference play atop the Stripes division last year. The 2014-15 Falcons finished 11-5 in conference play, third in the Stars division behind Keystone and Buckeye.

‘I’m familiar with Firelands because I’ve coached against them for a couple of years,’ Januzzi noted. ‘Certainly, we want to put together a program that’s going to be competitive from not only a basketball standpoint, but we really want to stress character development and an overall positive attitude with our kids to represent the school and the community in a very positive and productive way.’

As a result, he will take over the Amherst boys basketball program as head varsity coach, pending board approval June 15.

Bray, a 1988 Amherst graduate, has spent the last five years with the Comets program as a freshmen, junior varsity and assistant varisty coach, part of 22 years’ coaching experience. He has also spent time as an assistant varsity coach at Black River High School.

‘I’m a big part of the community here and everything, so when the job opened, it’s just something that I’ve wanted for a long time,’ Bray said.

Bray was also a standout athlete for the Comets, lettering in baseball and basketball. He was named First Team All-Conference and First Team All-Lorain County his senior basketball season. He was also part of the 1987 conference champion basketball team and 1988 conference champion baseball team.

‘I’ve been playing basketball since I was 2 years old,’ Bray said.

‘I love the game, I know what it takes to be successful at the game. … I know what these kids are capable of doing. I’m going to demand a lot, but I know they’re going to give a lot.’

A successful program starts at the bottom, where Bray intends to build a foundation for the Amherst basketball family.

‘First thing I want to do is get the team together and start working with the younger kids in the program and be involved a little more with the youth program,’ Bray said. ‘We’ll get started from there and then hone in on the style of basketball that I want to play.’

Bray said his biggest goal for the 2015-16 season is to build a team with a winning record. The Comets bid farewell to seven graduating seniors, including Rees Rua and Adam Srnis, son of former coach John Srnis. Bray also said he wants to ensure his team plays at a high level to pose a threat to competitors.

‘We’re going to be a hard-working team,’ he said. ‘These kids that are coming up are kids that I’ve had for the last year or two on the JV level. I know the kids really well. I know what they’re capable of doing and it’s my job to make sure I get the best out of them, which the kids that I have are hard workers and I know they’re going to be working hard for me.’

The senior led the Eagles to their first conference title in 39 years. She pitched and hit them to a district final to cap off a 19-9 2015 season in which she hit .420. On June 2, she earned Avon’s first Lorain County Miss Softball award.

‘It was something I wanted since eighth grade when I figured out they had the award,’ Edwards said. ‘That was my ultimate goal of high school.’

As one of two seniors on this year’s squad, Edwards hopes she and fellow senior Ally Sumser have paved a foundation for the Avon softball team.

‘We’re building the program and we can get even better and make it even farther next year,’ Edwards said. ‘I just want for the next captains to be leaders on and off the field.’

Edwards served her role as captain well. A four-year letter winner, Edwards ended her high school career with a .438 batting average and 100 RBI.

In the circle, she finished with a 28-13 record, which included a 1.89 ERA and 355 strikeouts. She was also named First-Team All-Lorain County and the Lorain County Division I Pitcher of the Year.

‘She’s one of the most coachable girls I’ve ever had,’ Avon coach Ken Matuszak said. ‘We talked about this, her and I, and I said, I never heard once, ‘I’m not going to do that.’ She would always nod her head, she’s very cerebral and she would always take in what was said, and then sort it out, how to fix a problem.’

Matuszak knew he had a player of potential when Edwards began her career as a freshman. That year, she hit third in the lineup and hit over .400.

Edwards has stood out in the circle and at the plate, a balance that provided Matuszak with added confidence.

‘She’s a tremendous pitcher and she gave it her all, but hitting, every time she was up, I thought she would get a hit. And one out of almost two times, she did,’ Matuszak said. ‘…If you looked at Anna on the mound, you couldn’t tell if we were winning or losing. It was her confidence. We put our young pitchers with her for that purpose, to show them what it takes to be out there.’

Next, Edwards will prove she has what it takes to perform at a collegiate level. She chose Otterbein University largely for academic reasons, to study systems engineering, but she looks forward to being part of the Otterbein team.

‘I know a lot of seniors at other schools. They don’t go on to play in college, so I’m really fortunate I can,’ Edwards said.

‘Otterbein’s getting a great person, academically and socially,’ Matuszak added. ‘And they’re getting one heck of a softball player. She’ll carry it over, she’ll be a stud there at Otterbein.’

Edwards said her favorite memories with the Eagles include all the bus trips and moments spent bonding with the team, but building a program aimed for continued success means the most.

‘I never imagined that our program would become this when I was starting out as a freshman,’ she said. ‘That was one of my big goals, was to become captain and just be able to lead the team and start a new legacy with Ally.’

Elyria Catholic’s historic tournament run came to a halt May 30 with a 4-0 loss to Warren Champion in the Division III Massillon regional final.

The Panthers (16-15) entered the tournament with a 12-14 record. Seeded third in the Division III Avon Lake District, the Panthers started their run with an 11-3 upset over first-seeded Wellington. They thumped Gilmour, 10-0, and outlasted Independence, 4-3, for the district title.

A regional semifinal against 21-6 Canfield South Range followed, and the Panthers won, 5-4.

It all ended at the hands of a 27-4 Champion team, ranked fifth in the Division III state coaches’ poll.

‘That’s the difference between a team that’s been to this position 10 times and a team that’s been to this place once,’ Panthers coach Ryan Minney said.

‘They’ve been here many, many times and this is the first time we’ve ever been here in school history, so that’s the difference. Now we know how to prepare and we’re going to take another shot at it next year.’

Champion wasted no time getting on the board in the first inning as Megan Turner sent a solo shot over the left field fence for a 1-0 lead.

Elyria Catholic held tight through the second and third innings, despite the absence of No. 3 hitter Ally Kamody, who suffered an injury during an at-bat in the first inning. She was replaced with Meghan Allegretto.

The Flashes took a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning as Molly Williams led off with a single to left and reached second on a sacrifice bunt. Williams stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Alayna Fell.

Meanwhile, Champion pitcher Haylee Gardiner’s tough mix of change-ups and drop balls had Elyria Catholic hitters off-balance all afternoon. Gardiner ended the afternoon with 14 strikeouts, surrendering just three hits. Elyria Catholic base runners never reached beyond first.

‘We were focusing on keeping our back foot lined up so we could reach the outside of the plate,’ Panthers right fielder Riley Schill said. ‘…We just focused on doing what we know how to do. It didn’t end up working but now we know what we need to do.’

Champion added insurance runs in the fifth inning as Amber Ricci and Turner hit consecutive singles to left for one run. Williams’ second hit of the day was a double to center to score Turner for the 4-0 advantage.

Though the season ended sooner than they had hoped, the Panthers anticipate a repeat run in the near future. Their expectations are warranted as all players on the roster can return. The Panthers played without a single senior this season.

‘We know how to prepare,’ Minney said. ‘We’ve got to get serious. This past year, our winter workouts, it was just a couple girls here, a couple girls there. Now we’ve got to get serious. We’ve got to have everyone there. We’ve got to get everyone hitting. We can’t wait until halfway through the season to start hitting.’

Making their first regional appearance in school history, the Panthers understand the impact their season has made for their program.

‘I told them, you earned a second-place trophy and you earned some respect today,’ Minney said he told his team.

‘The program in the past has been a little shaky,’ Schill said. ‘Coach Minney has done a heck of a job turning it around and we gave it our all.’