Eagles prepared to defend 2014 state title
SUBMITTED PHOTO
The 2015 Jefferson girls’ softball roster includes: front row, from left: Kayla Schmitz, Ashley Riley, Emily Mattson, Stephanie Chor, Vanessa Holtman. Second: Sarah Chor, Kiera Greer, Josie Deen, Kelli Schieber, Jessie Henry, Kelsi McQuinn. Back: Vanessa Pappert, Mikayla Mattson, Amber White, Kellie Palmer, Serena Watson, Kayley Lager.
Just like its boys’ softball team counterpart, the Jefferson girls’ softball team hoisted a state title in 2014. The program captured its sixth state title and fifth since 1997 with a 7-5 victory over Dora in the title game.
The squad finished last year with a 23-7 record along with a share of the Platte Valley Conference title and a district title.
Jefferson will be led by fifth-year head coach Shelly Deen and new assistant coach, 2007 Jefferson graduate, Adam Henry.
While Henry will be “new” to the program, the team will have several key players returning this year including three girls that earned first-team All-State honors a year ago: senior left fielder Jessie Henry and senior third baseman/pitcher Vanessa Holtman, along with junior pitcher/first baseman Sarah Chor.
Along with three first-team All-State players, Jefferson has a second-team All-State recipient returning, junior shortstop Kelsi McQuin.
Those aren’t the only four returnees on the state champion squad — junior catcher Kayla Schmitz, second baseman Josie Deen and designated hitter Stephanie Chor also come back. Deen said that there are several other returning players that will have an impact on this year’s squad including seniors Kelli Schieber, Emily Mattson, Serena Watson and sophomores Mikayla Mattson, Kellie Palmer and Kayley Lager.
“Others will step up and work just as hard to get playing time,” Deen said.
With so many returning starters to this year’s squad, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that this team has a chance to make another deep run, but Deen’s not going to look past anybody.
“Hard work and team chemistry will be the keys to our success,” Deen said. “Our first goal is to be the best we can be come October. We want to win conference and then be playing great ball going into districts.”
This will be the last year of the Platte Valley Conference for the foreseeable future and Deen said that the conference is as strong as ever.
“DeKalb will be a conference threat,” Deen said. “They return Donaldson who has pitched in close games against us the last two years. Ravenwood will also be a threat and you just never know who else. I am sure they have all worked hard all summer to be the best they can be. We just have to prepare ourselves to be the best we can be.”
The defending state champions will start the year on the road with a couple of away games against Grand River Conference competition.
“I just look forward to another exciting year with a great bunch of girls,” Deen said. “They all work hard and I believe if we come together as a team, we will have another successful year.”
Jefferson opens up the 2015 season Aug. 25 against Albany.
