Northeast Wisconsin’s Division I softball team is preparing for another big season of conference play. The Green Bay Phoenix have begun their season, competing in the Rosemont Tournament on February 7, and have also recently commenced their conference play. The Phoenix began their conference play against Northern Kentucky on March 14 at Frank Ignatius Grein Softball Field in Highland Heights, KY.
Last year, the Phoenix put together a strong season against some highly competitive teams, finishing the season with a 9-38 record. With key players returning this year, the team is set to continue on an upward trajectory. Leading the way will be catcher and shortstop player Paige Hanson, whose leadership and experience in the team will be crucial to their success. In addition to returning talent, the offseason marked key developments, including new recruits and intensive training that benefited the team. Transfers and incoming freshmen bring fresh faces to the squad and add depth and versatility.
Head Coach Sara Kubuske is confident in her team’s preparation and potential this season. Kubuske believes the team has put together a purposeful preseason despite the challenges of indoor training and is eager to see them compete. “I feel we have completed a very good, purposeful preseason, and I feel we are prepared and ready to see outside competition,” said Kubuske. “The ladies have worked extremely hard to perfect their craft, and I am excited to see us play more games as we embark on the Horizon League Conference season,” shared Kubuske.
She emphasizes the team’s ability to handle adversity, particularly with a younger roster, and praises their commitment to solid team culture. “We have really focused on our culture pyramid and embracing the family mentality,” Kubuske said. “We are a very close-knit team and will try to find a way to do whatever it takes to be successful.”
Coach Kubuske highlights the importance of the return of key players, including junior Paige Hanson, “who will be a staple in our offensive line up” and was the 2023 Horizon League Freshman of the Year, “one-two punch at the top of the line up” of junior Kendal Herschbach and senior Bella Herman, sophomore Ava Schill who will be “key to our success after she got a lot of good experience last year” on the mound, as well as newcomers like redshirt freshman Sara Ebner “who can make a significant impact in the Horizon League” and graduate transfer Genesis Eggart.
With a strong foundation and buy-in from players, Kubuske believes this squad has the potential to make a statement in the Horizon League. She added, “The team chemistry this year is second to none. My expectation for this group is very high. We are young, and many are inexperienced so that we will have some ups and downs, but I do believe we have a solid group of young ladies that can make a statement in the Horizon League for multiple years.”
A junior player from Cottage Grove, WI, Paige Hanson, is optimistic about the team’s potential to succeed this year. As the 2023 Horizon League Freshman of the Year, Hanson has established herself as a key offensive player and a mentor for younger players. This achievement was important for Hanson, as it “no doubt sparked a newfound confidence that I could compete and contribute at a D1 level,” said Hanson. Hanson further explained that “each game offers just a few opportunities to succeed… I understand I will fail 70% of the time, and it is about making that 30% count. The mindset has not changed, only the year and the team.”
As an upperclassman, Hanson understands the impact she has on her team. “I view my role as someone who clears the path for my younger teammates to follow until they can begin navigating in their own direction,” said Hanson. She credits former teammate Sam Saloun for providing her guidance early in her college career and now hopes to pass down her own experience. “The knowledge I’ve gathered from my three years here is invaluable to the young college athlete; it is my duty to supply them with those resources to thrive until they can do the same for those who follow,” said Hanson.
Hanson also emphasized the team’s resilience, noting their ability to bounce back in adversity and rely on one another. “Each player on this team contributes, and everyone understands the value of their role,” said Hanson. “We understand the conference season is a grind, and we are not a team to roll over and die in the heat of it.” Additionally, she embraces the culture Coach Kubuske is building, which “encompasses the value of F.A.M.I.L.Y. This stands for, ‘Forget about me, I love you,’ and it serves to create an atmosphere of unconditional support,” shared Hanson. It is clear this is important for the team, particularly as “knowing you have a family behind you makes failure less intimidating, raising confidence throughout the entirety of our team morale.”
The Phoenix have had a challenging start to their season, with early games against Northern Kentucky followed by a non-conference matchup against Ohio State. These early conference games will be a good measure of where they stand and where their improvements may lie. To start strong, Green Bay needs to keep consistent in both offense and defense; capitalizing on scoring opportunities while minimizing errors will be key. The Phoenix are also prepared to overcome challenges, including injuries and the unpredictability of a long season.
As conference play gets underway, there is a clear sense of excitement within the Phoenix team. With strong leadership, a focused coaching staff, and an eager group of players, the Green Bay Phoenix are set to make an impact in the Horizon League.
