Photo courtesy of Minneota/Canby softball Pictured above is the Minneota/Canby softball team. Front row (L to R): Summer Hennen, Ava Larson, Lexi Sanow, Abby Hennen, Audra Buysse and Abby Rost. Back row (L to R): Shelby Sik, Morgan Moorse, Ashlee Ann Cole, Tylee Groenhoff, Grace Fairchild, Zahndra Bordewyk and McKenzie Tolk. Not pictured: McKenna Yost and Tessa Anhalt.

MINNEOTA — In 2019, the Minneota/Canby softball team had a strong season, going 16-2 in the regular season before falling to New London-Spicer and Jackson County Central in the Section 3AA tournament.

After not being able to play last spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Vikings will look to put together another successful season under coach Heidi Boerboom. Minneota will have a good mix of experience and youth this season, led by Abby Hennen, Audra Buysse, Lexi Sanow, Ava Larson and McKenzie Tolk.

“Abby has predominately played catcher, but I am hoping to get her some time out on the field this year too. She can play anywhere,” Boerboom said. “Juniors Ava Larson and McKenzie Tolk will also be stepping into the pitchers role.”

Boerboom said they have a lot of new players on their roster this year and wants to see improvements with each game. She added they’ve been working on the basic fundamentals throughout the first couple of weeks of practices.

“This year’s team is composed of so many new players from 2 years ago, so I just want to see improvement from one game to the next in all aspects of the game,” Boerboom said. “In practice we work on the fundamentals of the game…fielding, hitting, pitching and running. We have never been known to be too flashy in our style. Just keep it simple.”

Boerboom said she expects her team to play with a lot of energy and enthusiasm and is looking forward to getting back onto the field again as a group.

“I expect great things from this group. Some of our team will be coming off another trip to the state basketball tournament, so I hope to keep that energy and enthusiasm alive in our sport too,”

Boerboom said. “I am just so excited to be together as a team again…back on the field having fun and getting better every day.”