OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The Johnson County Community College softball will start the 2021 season ranked No. 7 in the NJCAA D-II Preseason Rankings.
Nine-time national champion Phoenix college holds the top spot, followed by Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Jones College and Louisburg College. Kansas Jayhawk Conference opponent Highland Community College is ranked one spot above the Lady Cavaliers at No. 6, and Another KJCCC school, Kansas City Kansas Community College, received votes but did not make the top-20.
The Lady Cavaliers have been in the preseason national rankings in eight of 10 seasons under the direction of head coach Aubree Brattin-Volkens. This marks the fourth time JCCC has been a preseason top-10 pick in her tenure.
Johnson County had a record of 4-2 when the season was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The season prior, JCCC earned its 20th appearance in the NJCAA D-II National Tournament, finishing fifth overall, while posting a 27-14 record.
Twelve players return from last season, of which 11 will be designated freshmen eligible. The only sophomore on the roster is shortstop Nia Thomas. She started 11 games in 2019 and hit .226 (7-for-31). Last season she was hitting a .429 clip (3-for-7) with a home run when the season was stopped.
The freshmen returning are utility players Harlee Walker, Kaylin Watkins and Kayla Vest. Infielders Emma Stanwix, Aubrey Peck, Macey Nigh and Aubrey Griffith. Outfielder Haley Puccio and pitchers Kaylin Watkins, Autumn Metcalf and Kyla Etter.
Last season, Etter was selected the Kansas Jayhawk D-II Pitcher of the week in week 5 after she hurled all seven innings with 12 strikeouts in a 3-1 win over North Iowa Area. The following week, Griffith was chosen the KJCCC D-II Player of the Week after she belted three home runs, scored four times and drove in six in a double-header sweep over Allen.
Johnson County will open its 2021 season March 12 at the Crowder Bash in Fayetteville, Ark.