Off in a distance you can hear positive words and maximum effort from the softball field as Higley prepares for another season.

Last year was like no other for the Knights, who finished tied for the most wins in school history since 2011.

“It is a start to a turnaround,” said Coach Rodney Wesley. “A part of it was getting the girls to believe.”

Wesley took over last season for a team that had only won 16 games in the previous two seasons.

Wesley changed the culture and expectations by preaching attitude and effort.

“If you come with a good attitude and 100 percent effort, he will be happy regardless of the outcome,” said senior Sydney Wesley.

That motto is important because through difficult times, the Knights have become more of a family than anything.

“Us girls have really bonded together,” said senior Maddy Graese. “We always have worked as a team even through our down points.”

Senior Maddy Woosley added: “The trials we went through at the beginning of last season and pushed through together made us closer as a team.”

These seniors have been through it all with different coaches and losing seasons.

Their strength this year will be experience. Five seniors are returning, including Sydney Wesley, Woosley, Graese, Amiah Ibarra and Abby Vandever.

“I am very confident in this season because we have a lot of talent on this team and we’re ready to showcase it,” Sydney said.

They will be moving up from 4A Desert Sky to 5A San Tan this season.

“I expect it to be fast pace but more competitive,” said Vandever.

Woosley added: “I expect people to doubt us. It shouldn’t affect us and I know we can rise to the competition.”

Although this season has started off with back-to-back conference losses while allowing 35 runs, the Knights know what they need to work on.

“We need to work on our defense and be more consistent,” Woosley said.

Junior Shyann Branum added: “We need to communicate more on defense.”

Higley’s next contest will be at home in the Fox County Softball Tournament on Thursday against Jefferson from El Paso, Texas.