06/03/2026
2026 Softball Season Wrap Up with Head Coach Ashley Stancil:
1. Looking back on the entire season, what are you most proud of when it comes to how this team grew—either on the field or as people?
The thing I'm most proud of is the way our girls learned to respond to adversity. Early in the season, one error could snowball into another. By the end of the year, they learned how to pick each other up, flush mistakes, and move on to the next play. Softball is a game of failure, and our girls really embraced that. They became great teammates who genuinely wanted the best for one another, and that culture is what carried us through some big moments.
2. What do you feel was the biggest area of improvement for the team from the start of the season to the end, and what do you credit for that progress?
Offensively, we learned how to be unselfish. We stopped worrying about individual stats and started focusing on doing whatever the team needed in that moment. Whether it was laying down a bunt, moving a runner, taking an extra base, or simply putting the ball in play, our girls bought into the bigger picture.
I credit that to our leadership and the example set by the girls at the top of our lineup. They were always willing to do what it took to win. When your power hitters are willing to lay down a bunt because that's what the situation calls for, that sends a message to everyone else. Our girls trusted each other, trusted the coaches, and trusted the process.
3. Are there any players that you would like to recognize either for how much they improved, stepped up in big moments, or showed strong leadership?
Obviously, our senior, Chloe Donais, deserves recognition. She suffered an injury early in the season and missed a significant amount of time, but she never stopped being a leader. When she returned for districts and state, she was a game changer for us and played a huge role in our postseason run. She handled a difficult situation with maturity and grace.
At the same time, I really want to recognize our entire roster. Every single player contributed to our success. It didn't matter whether they played every inning or were the loudest teammate in the dugout. Every girl had a role, and every role mattered. That's what made this team special.
4. What are your top 1–2 priorities or areas of focus for next season to take the program to the next level?
My top priority is making sure our girls are having fun and continuing to build strong relationships with one another. The best teams I've ever coached genuinely enjoy being around each other. When players trust one another and enjoy showing up every day, everything else tends to fall into place.
The second focus is continuing to develop leadership throughout the program. We're graduating one senior, but leadership isn't something that belongs to one person. I want our returning players to understand that they all have the ability to lead, whether that's through their work ethic, attitude, or how they treat their teammates.
5. Looking at the seniors or graduating players, what lasting impact do you hope they've taken from this season beyond just the wins and losses?
Our one senior, Chloe Donais, leaves some very big shoes to fill and a lasting impact on this program.
Beyond the wins and losses, I hope she takes away the memories she'll have forever. The van rides, overnight trips, team dinners, inside jokes, bus conversations, and all the moments in between. Those are the things that stick with you long after the final game is played.
I also hope she knows how much she meant to this program and how many people were cheering for her along the way.
6. If you had to pick one key lesson or takeaway from this season that you'll carry into next year (as a coach or for the program), what would it be?
You don't have to be perfect to be successful.
This team wasn't perfect. We made mistakes, had injuries, faced adversity, and had moments where things didn't go our way. But they continued to show up for each other every day and kept finding ways to compete.
As a coach, this season reinforced that culture matters. Talent is important, but teams that genuinely care about one another and believe in each other can accomplish some pretty incredible things.
7. What does your 3rd Place State placement represent for your players and the community?
Bringing home a 3rd Place State trophy means a lot to this group because it's the result of years of hard work, sacrifice, and commitment. These girls have spent countless hours in the cages, on the field, and in the weight room preparing for moments like this.
But it's bigger than just softball. It represents our families who drove all over the state to support us, our booster club that said "yes" to every crazy idea, our youth players who look up to these girls, and an entire community that shows up for Elma athletics.
One of my favorite parts of coaching in Elma is seeing the younger girls line the fences and wear our jerseys. Hopefully this run showed them what's possible.
