Lady Hornets can't wait to start
MARTIN COUCH Sports editor

LADY HORNET Bryant's Kristen Dorsey returns.

Head coach Lisa Dreher has her Bryant Lady Hornets softball players working hard in the offseason to prepare for a tough schedule that will determine how well the team will do in the 7A-Central Conference this season.

"We have a lot of young girls this year," said Bryant assistant coach Dale Jones. " "We've got sophomores and freshman sprinkled in with seniors and juniors for leadership and we've got some pretty good players coming in from the basketball team."

Dreher and Jones agree that the early season tournament in Marshall, Texas, that the Lady Hornets won last year, will tell the tale of this year's team.

"We're learn a lot about this team down there," Jones said. "We're going to try to see who is a practice player and who is a game player, especially with our younger ones. We're real excited about what they can do."

Kristen Dorsey returns at shortstop, Lindsey Cason plays first and third base, Sarah Hart is a second baseman and can play third, Monique McDaniel is in the outfield, Bonnie Stroud is in left field, while Christen Kirchner anchors the mound as the top pitcher for Bryant this year.

Others like Brandi Barnes, Amber Cope, Jessica Cudd, Hailey Davis, Tiffany Johnson, Kristen Morehart, Lana Naumann, Morgan Seelinger, Paige Turpin, Brittany Welton, Kim Wilson and Kelsey Works are working to fill in the other posi- tions on the team.

Newcomer Shanika Johnson, who played at Malvern last year, adds depth and strength to the Lady Hornets lineup.

"Kirchner has made a big step coming from behind the plate to the mound," Jones said. "Hart is going to catch for us and play some infield. McDaniel is returning in the outfield and Bonnie Stroud is working the infield and outfield for us."

The Lady Hornets open the season Feb. 18 against Benton at home before going to Marshall.

"We're kind of hoping to answer our questions at the Marshall tournament," Jones said. "We have been hitting the ball exceptionally well and I've been pleasantly surprised how well we put the bat on the ball. We're going to find our chemistry at Marshall, but when we get back, we know our conference isn't going to be a joke. There aren't any weak sisters in this league."