Talent abounds and the competition for playing time will be fierce. Does anyone know if McClellan is back to full health & strength?
There is not a lot of discussion this time of year so as Forrest Gump sort of said, "let me say this about that." If this group of extraordinary ladies is not preseason #1 or #2, then the pollsters are a complete bunch of nincompoops.
For what it's worth, Redditt has a 2025 pre-season Top 20, as follows: Texas Florida Stanford (this was done 2 months ago before Canady left) Oklahoma State UCLA Duke FSU Tennessee Arizona Virginia Tech Texas A&M California Missouri Alabama Oklahoma Arkansas Baylor LSU Nebraska Georgia Of course, this means nothing at this point, but no doubt expectations will be very high for Florida.
T TECH is not even listed. The only 2 Texas teams listed at the SEC members, ut and aTm. Interesting that Boomer is way down the list.
Texas Tech is ranked #6 in the Flo Softball way too early rankings posted on X oby @hunterhound in post #7725. Not in the Redditt rankings that I posted.
Skylar leaves a big hole to fill. She is basically irreplaceable. It is like Tebow graduating with all the skills AND the leadership on the field.
Korbe and Jocey will and already have shown the leadership needed to bind this team into a winning unit.
I agree we have some great leadership, and I am very high on the Gators if we continue to work hard and realize that it won't come easy. But, you don't lose someone as special as Skylar and there not be a void. It could be a galvanizing thing though, as they know there is no Skylar to lean on this year and maybe everyone steps up their game just a little bit.
Of course I agree Skylar is one of kind but we’ve fortunately had many one of a kind players over the years. Losing these amazing talents to graduation always stinks but that’s just college sports. CTW program has always continued to churn out wins and produce the next generation of one of a kind, irreplaceable players. I think this team is in a great place and I’m so excited to see them on the field! P.S. at least we can still watch Skylar do Skylar things on the professional level and hopefully in the Olympics in 2028. Go Gators!
Yes they have! Let’s not forget about Kendra though. I don’t think she gets as much credit as she deserves in regards to her leadership.
Kendra is coming out of her shell and will step up in her leadership role. I sensed that last year during the Gator run at the end of the season.
If the new transfers and freshmen have the same work ethic/dedication to the team as last year's transfers and freshmen, it's all going to be fine. Skylar developed into a tremendous leader, not only with her performace in games as an example, but the way she coaxed and encouraged the younger players. I see Falby, Erickson, Otis, Walsh and maybe even Rothrock, Brown and Kowalewski emerging as leaders. I'm very interested to see if McClellan is at full strength and good enough to earn a starting role. Also, if Hovermale has put in the work to get better so she can challenge for a starting slot somewhere and if Olivia Miller and Ava Brown have made advances in the circle to bring their games up to Rothrock's level. And then, which freshmen will live up to their billing and win significant playing time. I know whoever wants to start in the field had better be hitting the ball with consistency.
Four of our five new freshmen, Gabi, Layla, Taylor and Katelynn(Red). This is a very talented group. I’m excited to see how these ladies blend in.
It will be interesting to see how she works out. Some have her rated extremely high, others who follow travel teams closely say she's just going to be a role player for us. Time will tell, but I wish her nothing but the best.
