Becoming the No. 1 seed in the Class 6A tournament isn’t an easy task. It not only takes hard work and dedication, but also chemistry between players.

“Knowing I have my friends behind me while I’m playing makes the game 10 times less stressful and way more enjoyable,” junior Jersey Ramirez said.

Friendships aren’t always just formed on the field; most of them are created through understanding.  

“I’m closest to Raegan Jackson because we have been friends for a couple years now and our friendship goes beyond the field. We are always with each other and talking, she’s my best friend,” Ramirez said.

Chemistry on the field is important for the team’s success and to make the game more meaningful.

“My relationships in softball are so important to make the game more fun, especially during those long hard days when it’s hard to want to be there,” said Jackson, a junior.

Being able to work with your sister, especially on a team, is a unique experience. One that sophomore Karlie Demel is grateful for. 

“We both have a love for softball that I don’t think will ever go away,” Demel said.

Senior Kyler Demel and sophomore Karlie Demel have been playing on the high school team for two years. They help each other push through the rough patches in the season and support each other to remain solid throughout the season. 

“I know that no matter what I’ll always have Kyler to fall back on when things get hard and she will always have me,” Demel said. 

Karlie loves seeing her sister on the field and notices her personality in a different change from on to off the field. 

 “Her constant energy and lightness is something I didn’t always recognize when we weren’t playing together,” she said. 

Having your best friend or sibling on the sports team you play for, makes the team experience special and reduces the stress that comes with team bonding.

Kyler has impacted the way Karlie plays and gives her a path to follow especially when she was a freshman, brand new to the team. 

“When I see her (Kyler) doing amazing at something it pushes me to do better and vice versa,” Karlie said. 

The tournament will be over the span of two days, May 23-24. The softball team will be going to Lawrence to play their first state game against Olathe South.