The Skyhawks will start their second year under head coach Bob Lowe. After a very successful first year which included capturing the Arrowhead title conference, setting a school record for wins, winning the regional championship and a national tournament appearance, Lowe hopes to inspire the 2011-12 softball team to also compete at a high level of success. This years squad only returns three players from last year including All-conferences starters Hannah Schmidt (Oregon) and Taylor Byrd (Rock Falls) , as well as head captain Kiaya Contreras (Amboy). The fourth sophomore is a transfer pitcher, Caitlyn Johnson (Edgerton, Wi). Incoming freshman who will need to carry the rest of the load include infielders Taylor Larson (Huntley), Kelsey Hagan (Huntley), Marie Deter (Morrison), Therese Jender (Rockton), Samantha St. George (Byron), Courtney Shepard (Byron), and Tessa Mollet(Stillman Valley). Freshman in the outfield will be Jessica Norman (Carol Stream), Kaiti Mathey (Eastland), Linsey Delgado (Sterling), Nichole Sollars (Dixon) and Cali Bartholomew (Machesney Park).  Byrd, Larson, Sollars, Bartholomew along with Johnson will all see time on the mound.

Although Lowe knows this is a very young squad he believes they have the ability and desire to compete for the Arrowhead crown again. This year may be more of a challenge as the opposing teams will bring their best each time when they are playing the previous champions.

The Skyhawks will begin their quest for a repeat beginning with their first home stand on March 23, 2012 against Elgin.