Coaches: Elise Laws (head coach), Dale Lopes (assistant coach), Vanessa Moreno (assistant coach)
Top Returning Players: Gabrielle Flores (12), Madison Moreno (11), Olivia Pedraza (11), Alexis Perez (10), Jenna Salcido (12)
Top Newcomers: Arianna Holguin (9), Elayna Marquez (9)
Last Season: The Lady Lancers finished second behind La Habra High School in the Freeway League with a 7-3 record (17-10-2 overall), and lost against Bonita High School in the third round of CIF.
Outlook: With five seniors in their starting lineup, the Lady Lancers feel optimistic about advancing to at least the semifinals of CIF.
“This year, we are focusing more on hitting and scoring runs, whereas in previous years, we focused a lot on defense and minimizing mistakes,” Laws said. “There is a lot of really good energy, and [the players] care about each other.”
With head coach Laws, the team hopes to sharpen the skills of the three incoming freshmen and continue building up the returning players since the roster is out of the ordinary for a typical season.
“It’s a big deal to have that many seniors,” she said. “We’ve never had that many. We usually only have one or two.”
By simulating game-like situations through drills during practices, the players have developed a unanimous mindset to perform better in CIF while also ridding themselves of their performance anxiety.
“Not just me, but the whole team looks forward to winning the league and getting further in CIF this year,” pitcher sophomore Perez said.
Through practices, the players developed a close and trusting bond with one another allowing for better sportsmanship, and the squad hopes for better results this season.
“As a team, I think we look after each other very well,” second baseman freshman Holguin said. “We make each other better people, as well as athletes, in a very fun and good competitive way.”
During their preseason games, the Lady Lancers acquired a 3-4-1 record. Nevertheless, the team faced one of their most competitive matchups, Tuesday, March 7, against Artesia High School.
Laws said her players will begin their comeback stronger than ever during Freeway League play.
“I’m optimistic because we don’t always start off too good, but we always end great,” she said.
The Lady Lancers won their first Freeway League game Tuesday, finishing at 6-0 against the Fullerton Tribe at the Sunny Hills field.
Their next game will be an away game Thursday, March 30, at 3:15 p.m. against La Habra Highlanders.
