The Vestal softball squad made a run all the way to the State's Championship game where they ultimately fell last season. But this year, the Golden Bears return several collegiate commits and maybe more importantly, players who have a history of gelling together in this week's team of the week brought to you by Amphenol Aerospace.

Running it back with their core group now as seniors, the Vestal Golden Bears want to match and progress their success from last season.

"It would be so great, I mean softball hasn't brought back as a champion to Vestal yet so really hoping that this could be the year for that," said senior utility Kymora Wang.

A mindset with a concrete goal spurred from last season

"I think it's really exciting to be going into this year with that confidence," said senior pitcher Raveena Rai. "We're all just excited to get the year going."

But they all know there's a whole lot of work to be done before that.

"Right now we're just focused on sectionals and hopefully beyond," said senior catcher Kelsey Brady. "Obviously the end goal, like everyone else is winning a state championship but right now we're just focused on taking it one step at a time."

The same blueprint from last season as the team began a magical run once taking down Maine-Endwell in the Section IV Class A Championship game.

"I think after sectionals we kind of just were on a jump for our season that we were expecting so I think that we're really excited to be back," said senior infielder Edna Kiefer. "And hopefully we can kind of do the same thing, make it out the section again, and just keep doing good."

And no one would disagree with that with four Division I committed athletes and several others playing at the next level.

"I have all the confidence in the world for my teammates," said junior pitcher Reilly Storer. "They're my best friends."

And for second-year Golden Bear, Cat Petteys, that was one of the first things she learned once coming over to Vestal.

"I just learned that this team cares a lot about each other as people like in school and outside of school," junior shortstop Cat Petteys. "And so the first few games even in scrimmages like these before the season like I think I just learned that there are people that are gonna stay with me throughout like college and the rest of my life."

And for two Golden Bears, they certainly will as sisters Kelsey and Kendall Brady have been playing together for a while now.

"Oh it's awesome, I'm sad this is our last year together," said junior outfielder Kendall Brady. "We've been playing together since 10U."

Chemistry is certainly a strength, but it definitely isn't there only one on the field.

"I think one of our biggest strengths is our hitting," Kiefer said.

"And communicating on the field and off the field even," Petteys said.

Or in the dugout.

"We're always lifting each other up," Kelsey Brady said. "We have a lot of fun."

"We love goofing around which just helps us keep loose and play well," Wang said.

All being managed by one of the most electric and experienced coaches in Section IV, Vickie Sax.

"It's awesome, she's fun, she's awesome and obviously she has a lot of experience, she coached Colgate," Rai said.

But more than anything the team's mantra is:

"Stay positive out there and just keep going, every day is a step forward, no steps back this year," Storer said.