By Blake Chadwick

Now in her fourth year as the head coach and fifth season with Salina South, softball coach Brea Vidrine is gearing up to get her girls back to the state tournament.

After a fourth-place finish a season ago, coach Vidrine had to take a step back during that time as she was on maternity leave.

“It was great getting to watch my girls receive a fourth-place finish last year,” Vidrine said. “The girls coming in have big shoes to fill, but I have no doubt that they are willing to do whatever it takes to step up.”

The Cougars return just two starters from their infield in senior Maliyah Koster and junior Sadie Xaysongkham.

The DNA for Vidrine is to create a defense that doesn’t bend at all.

“I really love to focus on creating a dominating defense,” Vidrine said. “I truly believe that you have to have a defense that can handle any type of offense. I also believe that this is where your leaders are born.”

The head coach knows she couldn’t do it all without her great staff.

“I am lucky to have a coaching staff that come from all types of softball backgrounds, so we are able to focus on the different abilities of each of our players.”

This type of makeup has helped the Cougars, as this has been a big off-season for them. They are expecting a lot of new players, young and old, to step up.

“Our team goal is to create a well-rounded team,” Vidrine said. “Getting every player situated at the position that they are taking this year is incredibly important because we have players that are filling in for spots that may not necessarily be their primary position. I want players to become great hitters and get comfortable being able to produce at the plate and on the bases.”