After making it to the state tournament last season, the Lady Warriors are looking to build on that performance this season.

As a part of Conference 10 last season, the Nansemond River High School softball team were the regular season champions. They followed that up with an appearance in the regional championship game, which automatically qualified the team for the state tournament.

But the Lady Warriors took a loss to Atlee High School in the Class 5 state semifinal, which ended their season last June.

They graduated a talented senior class, all of whom are playing college softball. However, Coach Gabe Rogers is excited about his returning players.

“We are extremely young but are very talented,” Rogers said. “We have had some growing pains here early, but hopefully they will pay off down the line. Right now, the team is blending very well as a unit, and they have been working hard together.”

Returning for Nansemond River is All-State outfielder Ashlyn Rogers. She will be leaned on for offensive production and as a senior leader. Misty Even will be looked to for pitching production and some hitting production. Hannah Gill is also a senior who will be counted on for leadership as well as for offensive production. Nansemond River will also carry five freshmen this season. Rogers likes the versatility he has on the team.

Everyone wants to go to the state tournament, but it isn’t something that comes up often when the Lady Warriors discuss goals for the season. They want to focus on being the best version of themselves as the season goes on.

“All we ever try to do is play each game the best we can,” Rogers said. “The winning and losing will take care of itself. Let’s play each game the best we can that day, and sometimes your best isn’t good enough. We want to try to play our best softball when it’s needed. We want to work out kinks early on so that we can be playing our best softball come postseason time. Work hard in practice and games, and everything else will take care of itself.”

Nansemond River will open its season up against Deep Creek High School on the road at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. Rogers want to see how his team comes out and performs in the first game of the season.

“How are we going to look against a talented team is going to be key for us,” he said.