I am super excited about the numbers that we have this year. There are a lot more girls playing this year, which gives us a lot more options.”

Deanna Jacobs

ROCHELLE — The Rochelle Lady Hub varsity softball team returned to action Monday, holding its first practice of the 2024 season. The Lady Hubs are eager to build on a 5-21 overall record and a 2-12 record in the Interstate 8 last season, the second under head coach Deanna Jacobs.

Rochelle will have roughly three weeks of practice before teeing off the season with a road matchup against Belvidere North in nonconference play on Friday, March 22. The Lady Hubs will continue nonconference action against Rockford Guilford and Stillman Valley on March 25 and 26 before traveling south for their annual spring tournament in Jacksonville, Illinois.

“I am super excited about the numbers that we have this year,” Jacobs said. “There are a lot more girls playing this year, which gives us a lot more options. We are going to be an extremely young team. The freshman girls are fighting hard for varsity spots and giving the returning players a run for their money. This incoming group has been playing the game for years and have a passion for it. That alone is giving us a big advantage over the past few years.”

The Lady Hubs are replacing multiple seniors from last year’s roster including four-year varsity starter and All-Conference honoree Morgan Smardo. Rochelle will return notable starters, however, including senior and fourth-year varsity player Ella Alfano. Junior Lauren Dyer is back for her third varsity season, while sophomore Madigan Williams returns for her second year.

“They have been putting in the work over the off season and it shows,” Jacobs said. “Lauren's pitching is looking better than ever and the confidence of the three is night and day from last year. I think that they have done an awesome job the first few days of practice leading warm ups and stepping up. This year, I am excited about our overall game. We are faster than last year, more willing to get dirty to stop the ball, and have stronger swings. More girls have taken advantage of the summer and winter Hub Power and I think that is having a big impact.”

The Lady Hubs begin the Interstate 8 slate with a home game against Ottawa on Monday, April 8. Rochelle returns seeking its first regional championship since 2004. The spring tournament in Jacksonville will be a primer for the Lady Hubs as they move toward the remainder of their schedule. Rochelle only played one tournament game last year due to weather.

“We are going to be doing the Spring Break Tournament on the turf again this year, and the girls are excited about it,” Jacobs said. “It gives us an opportunity to see some teams that we normally would not. We are continuing to focus on building traditions as a program, and preparing the girls for whatever they may face in the game and outside it.”