CONWAY, Ark. — In 2023, UCA softball set a program record with 45 wins and won its first-ever regional game.
But of course, that was last year.
"It's just an entirely different look," UCA head coach Jenny Parsons said. "Different team."
Even those who weren’t there last year, like freshman outfielder Renee Christian, recognize the challenge.
"We only have three returners," Christian said. "A lot of people have to step up in positions they aren't used to playing."
Last year, the Bears were anchored by a pair of stars in the circle. The Jordan Johnson and Kayla Beaver duo could match up with anyone in the country.
Neither returned this season.
"We're not going to replace Jordan [Johnson] and Kayla [Beaver]," Parsons said. "But what the current staff is doing is outstanding. As long as we can attack the hitters, we'll be fine."
Beaver transferred to Alabama, while Johnson, last year’s Atlantic Sun Conference Pitcher of the Year, graduated and is now on the coaching staff.
"It's taken a lot of pressure off me in the bullpen," Parsons said. "The pitchers are drawn to her. She's 22, 23. I'm 52. I don't know TikTok that much [but] maybe Jordan does."
As the Bears look to go dancing for the second consecutive season, Parsons said 2024 is about adjusting their play on the field instead of expectations.
“We’re not going to strike a bunch of people out," Parsons said. "Hopefully, we can get a lot of groundballs and flyballs when we need it.”
Junior infielder Kylie Griffin, one of the three returning starters, was named Preseason ASUN Defensive Player of the Year by the league's coaches and thinks the program is ready to make the necessary changes to achieve its goals.
"We're going to look different, but the standard is the same," Griffin said. "More than ever, offensively, defensively, and pitching-wise, we'll have to learn to work together as a team to get the job done."
After all, this team still received votes in the major preseason polls and was picked by coaches to repeat as ASUN champions.
Additionally, senior outfielder Tremere Harris, a Conway native, was selected as the ASUN Preseason Player of the Year.
Despite all the turnover, the internal and external expectations remain high as the core identity of the program remains unchanged.
"[We're] aggressive, fast, hard-nosed," Griffin said. "We don't care who's across from us. We're going to fight and play all the same."
UCA softball kicks off its season on Friday at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Fla. The Bears will play Notre Dame and North Carolina Central in a doubleheader on Friday before taking on St. John's and Kansas on Saturday.
The first pitch against Notre Dame is set for 9:00 a.m., with the nightcap against North Carolina Central scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
UCA will wrap up the NFCA Leadoff Classic on Sunday with a game against South Alabama.
For the complete 2024 UCA softball schedule, click here.