Emerson’s softball team season started on Jan. 24, 2026 with practices starting on Jan. 9, their games being canceled due to bad weather following tryouts last semester. Maverick softball has been around since Emerson’s opening in 2021, achieving recognition from sports achievements such as being one of the first sports to make playoffs.
“Practices this year are more focused and more purposeful, definitely preparing us for competition season,” Kylie Lenore, 10, varsity softball player, said.
The chemistry and love for softball can positively impact the players’ season. Iyhia McMichael, head softball coach, is ready for softball’s season this year, excited about her players’ improvements to come.
“For my girls, I want them to continue to have a mindset of striving to be one percent better every single day in everything they do,” McMichael said.
McMichael shares how the program had a great kickstart when Emerson opened, prompting further growth in the softball program.
“We started with a blank canvas when our school opened in 2021 and we have been able to write our own stories,” McMichael said. “Two years ago, we were the first sport other than football to make the playoffs and last year we were the first girls sport to win a playoff game.”
However, McMichael feels that softball is overlooked, with viewers not initially knowing how the players impact a spectators’ experience.
“… It’s not a mainstream sport, but every time someone comes to watch our game, they see how much fun our team has while playing…,” McMichael said.
The teams’growth from freshman year prompted Kylie Lenore, 10, varsity softball player, to engage in more deliberate goal setting.
“My expectations have changed to become bigger this season because I now understand that my team is my family,” Lenore said. “ I want to do my absolute best to make it as far as we can in districts to make them proud.”
Lenore cherishes moments with her team, pointing out how a strong group brings players closer together. Bonding is important for building relationships, and Lenore shares her ideas regarding bringing her teammates closer.
“An idea I have for team bonding is just really getting to know each other outside of softball so that we can trust each other more during a game,” Lenore said. “Some things we have already done were team dinners, hot yoga and little get-togethers.”
All in all, McMichael aims on building on a foundation of strong sportsmanship and teamwork shown by her softball teams since Emerson opened. She hopes that in years to come, softball will not just be a sport, but a program that emphasizes hard work.
“[I hope for] a program that continues to help young ladies transform into strong and empowered young women who value hard work, who [choose] the hard, and [are]better for it,” McMichael said.
