SWAC voters predict Lady Tigers Softball to finish third in division.
With just a few days before the start of the 2020 season, the Grambling State Lady Tiger softball team is preparing for a revamped team with goals of making the conference tournament and win it all.
After a 16-23 season, adjustments to the roster and new signees present the team with the challenge of figuring out a new winning scheme.
Eight new freshmen have joined the roster at a variety of positions bringing new talent for both offense and defense.
The team also added junior outfielder Rodjahnae Dupont-Barlow from Lincoln College for even more depth.
Head coach Nakeya Hall is excited and looking forward to a more competitive and productive season.
“Every day I witness progression made with this team. My goal for the season is to compete in every game, play as a team, play with heart, effort and energy, and make the conference tournament,” she said.
The Southwestern Athletic Conference released its rankings for the division and preseason honors last month before teams entered the last training before action kicks off. The team is projected to finish third.
“That is the highest predicted order of finish that Grambling softball has received since the conference was split into divisions,” said Coach Hall.
“We are finally gaining respect as a program. Although happy about the third pick, we are looking to be number one.”
Additionally, freshman standout Rikkelle Miller earned a spot on the Preseason First Team honors, after earning Rookie of the Year last season..
Coach Hall is expecting the catcher/infielder to continue her success.
“[She] deserves every award that she has or will receive. She had a phenomenal freshman year and is hungry for more,” Hall said. “Miller works extremely hard and is a natural born leader. There will be more awards coming her way.”
With a revamped team and the team finally getting the attention they earned, the season has high expectations that the players and coaches are working to achieve.