WATERLOO - West High's push for the 2009 state softball tournament started, in essence, in late 2008.

After dropping a 6-0 regional final at Cedar Rapids Jefferson late last summer, the Wahawks received all the inspiration they needed for an offseason of intense training.

"It was good for our kids to see the banner presented to the other team, (and) the feeling that we were one game away," said eighth-year West coach Kelly Nelson. "It was a great motivator for this year."

The Wahawks haven't minced words early this spring. They want an even better record than last year's 25-17 mark. They want a Mississippi Valley Conference title.

And, they seek the Cedar Valley's first trip to the state tournament.

"I think this year, of all years, is the one to do it," said Wahawk star Jadyn Spencer. "I think we've got a lot of potential still to be reached."

West High returns four 2008 all-metro honorees, including Spencer, a hurler who won 15 games and led the Cedar Valley with a .462 batting average last season.

"She can definitely hit it in all directions," Nelson said of Spencer, who will also see time at shortstop this summer. "She's just a real aggressive hitter. She's up there with a purpose."

Other Wahawk returnees with past all-metro accolades include Kelli Joens, who hit three home runs in 2008, Cassie Knutson (25 RBIs) and Rebekah Doering (.381).

All told, West sports seven returning letterwinners who all plan to keep their team in Mississippi Valley Conference contention, right alongside league favorites like Jefferson and Iowa City West.

The Wahawks have just three seniors on their roster. And their youthful exuberance is shared virtually throughout the Cedar Valley - where just one senior made the 2008 all-metro team.

"It'll be exciting," Nelson said, lending an eye toward the overall metro scene. "Because sometimes seniors get that senior-itis going on, and now we've got kids looking for the future."

Waterloo East

Earlier this month, R&M Metals, an 18-and-under club softball team that includes all 10 of Waterloo East's varsity returnees, advanced to the USSSA Nationals. Thus, the Trojans plan to advance deep into the postseason this summer in Iowa prep action.

"Another year older and wiser," noted East assistant Dan Stuber. "We feel we have a very competitive team."

The Trojans return three players who earned all-metro accolades last season, including versatile senior Kylie Rash, a pitcher who registered a 2.25 ERA and hit .364.

Charissa Wright (.346) and Jessica Kinnetz (.348, five triples) can also handle the heavy lifting offensively.

"This team will be in every game," said Stuber. "And if we fall behind, don't count us out."

Cedar Falls

Tammy Utley's second season in the Cedar Falls dugout could bear fruit, considering the depth the Tigers have returning.

Eight starters are back from last year's 18-win club, led by recent Drexel University signee Shyann Beach, who struck out 172 batters last summer.

Fellow 2008 all-metro picks Jillian Zaputil (.434) and Sarah Korte (.347) appear poised to lead a potent lineup. And, should Cedar Falls need any pointers, young assistants Abby McClain and Rachel Gerking - standout collegiate student-athletes on break from Central Florida and Northern Iowa, respectively - can offer expert tutorials.

"I think we can put together some different looks for teams this year with so many athletes," Utley noted.

Waterloo Columbus

With several players still toiling in sports like soccer, Sailor softball coach Chris Simenson knows it could take awhile for his club to gain footing early this season. And then there's the fact the WaMaC Conference recently added a couple of brutally tough teams.

"The inclusion of Clear Creek-Amana and Solon to our conference has not diminished the mountain any team will have to climb," Simenson noted.

Fortunately for the second-year Columbus skipper, he has players with promise. Spurred by the likes of first-team all-WaMaC catcher Carolyne Schlicte (.349) and all-metro pick Sydney Mattoon (2.96), the Sailors could be ready for a resurgence.

"I plan to use a more sophisticated defensive scheme this season," Simenson added, "that will catch some teams off-guard."

NU High

With 10 letterwinners back in the fold, things are trending in a positive direction for the NU Panthers.

This summer, coach Tyler Struck expects to see an offense that can compete with North Iowa Cedar League powers Jesup, Denver and Dike-New Hartford on a more consistent basis.

"Last year we struggled in close games with not having timely hitting and errors," said Struck. "This year, I think with everyone being a year older … those two areas will become a strength rather than a concern."

NU's chief area of concern is in the pitching circle, where last year's standout, all-metro senior Tifffani McCombs, must be replaced.

Capsules

CEDAR FALLS TIGERS

HEAD COACH - Tammy Utley

RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (13) - Shyann Beach, sr.; Jillian Zaputil, sr.; Meghan Kleitsch, sr.; Alison Jaynes, sr.; Allison Duchman, jr.; Sarah Korte, jr.; Cari Collins, jr.; Katlyn Underwood, jr.; Makenze Mobley, jr.; Conner Fairman, jr.; Sonja Przybylski, soph.; Lauren Smith, fr.; Paige Miller, fr.

Schedule

May 26 - Waterloo Columbus, 5:30 p.m.

May 28 - at Dubuque Senior (DH), 4 p.m.

June 2 - Dubuque Wahlert (DH), 5:30 p.m.

June 4 - at Linn-Mar (DH), 5:30 p.m.

June 5-6 - at Iowa City West Tournament, TBD

June 9 - Cedar Rapids Jefferson (DH), 5:30 p.m.

June 11 - at Dubuque Hempstead (DH), 4 p.m.

June 13 - Terri Benson Invitational (DH), 2 p.m.

June 16 - at Ced.Rapids Washington (DH), 5:30 p.m.

June 17 - Waterloo East (DH), 5:30 p.m.

June 19 - at Ames, 5 p.m.

June 23 - Iowa City High (DH), 5:30 p.m.

June 25 - at Cedar Rapids Prairie (DH), 5:30 p.m.

June 30 - at Waterloo West (DH), 5:30 p.m.

July 1 - at Charles City, 5 p.m.

July 2 - Cedar Rapids Kennedy (DH), 5:30 p.m.

July 3-4 - at Don Bosco Tournament, TBD

July 7 - Iowa City West (DH), 5:30 p.m.

July 8 - Waverly-Shell Rock, 5:30 p.m.

July 9 - at Cedar Rapids Xavier (DH), 5:30 p.m.

July 11-15 - Regionals, TBD

July 21-25 - State tournament, Fort Dodge

NU HIGH PANTHERS

HEAD COACH - Tyler Struck

RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (10) - Bailey Carlisle, sr.; Nicole Lopez, sr.; Catherine Stone, sr.; Karen Engels, jr.; Meagan Schneider, jr.; Maddie Backstrom, soph.; Brittney Culmore, soph.; Niki Kapanka, soph.; Savannah Campbell, soph.; Allison Moyer, fr.

Schedule

May 28 - at Glad.-Reinbeck (at Gladbrook), 6 p.m.

May 30 - Springville (DH), 4 p.m.

June 1 - at Jesup, 5:30 p.m.

June 2 - Dike-New Hartford, 4 p.m.

June 4 - Wapsie Valley, 4 p.m.

June 8 - at Aplington-Parkersburg, 6 p.m.

June 9 - Hudson, 4 p.m.

June 11 - Denver, 4 p.m.

June 13 - at Aplington-P'burg Tournament (at Parkersburg), 9 a.m.

June 15 - at Union of La Porte City, 6 p.m.

June 16 - Jesup, 4 p.m.

June 18 - at Dike-New Hartford, 4 p.m.

June 19 - Turkey Valley, 4 p.m.

June 20 - at Cal-Latimer Tournament (at Latimer), 10 a.m.

June 22 - at Wapsie Valley, 4 p.m.

June 23 - Aplington-Parkersburg, 4 p.m.

June 25 - at Hudson, 4 p.m.

June 27 - at North Tama (DH), 10 a.m.

June 30 - at Denver, 6 p.m.

July 1 - at Central Elkader, 4 p.m.

July 2 - Union of La Porte City, 4 p.m.

July 6 - BCLUW, 4 p.m.

July 7 - South Hardin, 4 p.m.

July 8-10 - Districts, TBD

July 13 - Regional semifinals, TBD

July 15 - Regional finals, TBD

WATERLOO COLUMBUS SAILORS

HEAD COACH - Chris Simenson

RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (5) - Carolyne Schlichte, sr.; Abbi Huff, sr.; Kaitlyn Broten, sr.; Sydney Mattoon, sr.; Lindsey Hau, sr.

Schedule

May 26 - at Cedar Falls, 5:30 p.m.

May 27 - Marion (DH), 6 p.m.

May 28 - at Janesville, 6 p.m.

May 30 - Waterloo East (DH), 5 p.m.

June 1 - at Williamsburg (DH), 6 p.m.

June 3 - at Mount Vernon, 6 p.m.

June 4 - Waverly-Shell Rock, 6 p.m.

June 8 - Benton Community (DH), 6 p.m.

June 10 - at Anamosa, 6 p.m.

June 11 - Maquoketa, 6 p.m.

June 13 - at Cedar Falls Benson Invitational, 2 p.m.

June 15 - at Independence (DH), 6 p.m.

June 17 - at West Delaware, 6 p.m.

June 18 - Dyersville Beckman, 6 p.m.

June 22 - Clear Creek-Amana (DH), 6 p.m.

June 24 - at DeWitt Central, 6 p.m.

June 26 - Waterloo West (DH), 6 p.m.

June 27 - at Dunkerton Tournament, 9 a.m.

June 29 - at Vinton-Shellsburg (DH), 6 p.m.

June 30 - at North Butler (Allison), 6 p.m.

July 1 - Solon, 6 p.m.

July 2 - at New Hampton (DH), 7:30 p.m.

July 6 - at Center Point-Urbana (DH), 6 p.m.

July 7 - Western Dubuque, 8 p.m.

July 9 - Regionals, TBD

July 10-11 - Districts, TBD

July 13-15 - Regional finals, TBD

July 23-25 - State tournament, Fort Dodge

WATERLOO EAST TROJANS

HEAD COACH - Gene Laughlin

RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (10) - Megan Dunn, Nicole Gilbert, Jessica Kinnetz, Erin Klein, Amanda Magnuson, Alyson Netty, Kelsey Rash, Kylie Rash, Sarah Schmitz, Charissa Wright.

Schedule

May 26 - at Iowa City West, 5 p.m.

May 30 - at Waterloo Columbus, 5 p.m.

June 2 - Cedar Rapids Jefferson, 5 p.m.

June 4 - at Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 5 p.m.

June 9 - Dubuque Senior, 5 p.m.

June 11 - Cedar Rapids Prairie, 5 p.m.

June 12-13 - at Jesup Tournament, TBD

June 16 - at Linn-Mar, 5 p.m.

June 18 - at Cedar Falls, 5 p.m.

June 20 - at Mason City Tournament, TBD

June 23 - Cedar Rapids Washington, 5 p.m.

June 25 - Cedar Rapids Xavier, 5 p.m.

June 30 - at Dubuque Hempstead, 4 p.m.

July 2 - Iowa City High, 5 p.m.

July 3-4 - at Iowa City West Classic, TBD

July 7 - at Dubuque Wahlert, 4 p.m.

July 9 - Waterloo West, 5 p.m.

July 11 - Regionals, TBD

July 21-25 - State tournament, Fort Dodge

WATERLOO WEST WAHAWKS

HEAD COACH - Kelly Nelson

RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (7) - Kelli Joens, Cassie Horak, Cassie Knutson, Rebekah Doering, Tracy Shirey, Jadyn Spencer, Mackenzie VanDenBerg.

Schedule

May 28 - Dubuque Hempstead, 5:30 p.m.

May 29 - Independence, 6 p.m.

June 2 - at Cedar Rapids Xavier, 5:30 p.m.

June 4 - at Iowa City High, 5:30 p.m.

June 9 - Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 5:30 p.m.

June 11 - at Cedar Rapids Jefferson, 5:30 p.m.

June 16 - Iowa City West, 5:30 p.m.

June 17 - at North Scott, 6 p.m.

June 18 - Linn-Mar, 5:30 p.m.

June 19-20 - at Jack North Inv. Des Moines, TBD

June 22 - Waverly-Shell Rock, 6 p.m.

June 23 - Dubuque Senior, 5:30 p.m.

June 25 - at Dubuque Wahlert, 4 p.m.

June 26 - at Waterloo Columbus, 6 p.m.

June 30 - Cedar Falls, 5:30 p.m.

July 2 - at Cedar Rapids Washington, 5:30 p.m.

July 3-4 - at Don Bosco Tournament, TBD

July 7 - Cedar Rapids Prairie, 5:30 p.m.

July 9 - at Waterloo East, 5:30 p.m.

July 11 - Regionals, TBD

July 21-25 - State tournament, Fort Dodge