As the school year moves to conclusion, summing up many sports, multiple other sports are just starting, such as boys tennis, track, girls soccer, boys golf, lacrosse and girls softball.

Mrs. Amy Heyroth, student services, enters her second season as assistant head coach for the NDA team. Believe it or not, she “played softball from age three through college at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point” and has high hopes for this year’s season.

Like any sport, softball has its traditional rivals and conference challenges, particularly  BayPort and Ashwaubenon.

“We still have improvements to be made through the season,” said Mrs. Heyroth,” but we’re looking forward to see how we match up. We are further along than we were last year and very excited to find out how ready we are once we can finally get on the field and play some games.”

With the late coming of spring, the team has had to practice inside and endure repeated game cancellations. The team practices–and plays home games–at Riverview Park in Allouez.

Although most sports have “star players,” the Notre Dame girls softball team doesn’t really have an established veteran to tout.  According to Mrs. Heyroth, with teamwork and support from one another, the team will succeed. There is positivity and no one can succeed without the others, she contends.

Indeed, the varsity team has a weekly dinner to get together, a tradition of the sport.

For some senior players, this is their last sports season at NDA.

One varsity player Denice Aispuro said,  “I joined because I really like the sport. I love my teammates. I’m going to miss being able to better myself and cheer on my teammates. The varsity team is really good this year, and I think we will continue down a great path of improvement.”

The team consists of three seniors, three juniors, three sophomores and four freshmen. The pitchers are Bridget Kapic, Jadyn Kulesa and Gretchen Meier.