From practice, to the dugout and taking ground balls during pregame, the hard work that the Panther softball team has put into the 2026 season is easy to see.
For the first time in program history the Lady Panthers have gone undefeated (26-0) through regular season games.
“We are trying not to let being undefeated get to our heads because we still have plenty of games to go and rolling into the post season the games only get tougher so we can’t let that be our only fuel,” junior Brielle Hendrick said.
This team has also remained in the no.1 spot in the Kansas Power rankings for three consecutive weeks while picking up wins against defending 5A state champions Bishop Carroll, Maize South and Valley Center.
“At the beginning of the season none of us knew how good we were going to be, but after our first game we knew that it was going to be tough for teams to beat us,” junior Kelby Clingan said. “We have showed so much growth from the beginning of the season,”
Although hard work and dedication is the foundation of a quality team, the chemistry and bond between players is key. From day one this team has shown that they have fun while still putting in the work to be great.
“The culture is unlike anything I’ve been a part of,” senior Karlie Demel said. “I truly see a family with this team and everyone seriously wants everyone to succeed. People can definitely tell what a tight knit group we are based on the way we play for each other.”
The Lady Panthers have the rest of the week to rest and practice before hosting regionals at Dekarsky park next week. Opponents are still undetermined.