DICKSON Anytime there is a coaching change, leaders are looked at to step up.

DICKSON Anytime there is a coaching change, leaders are looked at to step up.

For Dickson Lady Comets players Jadyn McKenzie, Shanna McKown, and Kelsie Allen, their numbers have been called in preparation for this season.

Everyone is giving their all when they hit the field right now, Allen said. Weve been nothing but excited since Coach (Darrell) Mays has come in. He knows what hes talking about, and obviously with the baseball boys we know what he expects from us and we need to step up.

Theres so many young girls on this squad this season, Allen added. But everyone is learning quick so well get better.

For the junior center fielder, McKenzie said she expects the young girls to follow in the example the upperclassmen have set in the preseason.

I believe that were starting to believe in one another, she said. I very much believe that having this much youth on our squad makes us a dangerous team. We feel like we can achieve success and be pretty good because of the younger girls we have. They give their all at practice and thats all we can ask of them.

Having a new coach has changed a lot of things for us, McKenzie said. Its got us believing that we can do some big things this season.

Leading the charge on the mound this season will be McKown, as the junior seeks to shut down opponents and provide a spark for the new look Lady Comets.

The change in having a new coach has been extremely positive for us, McKown said. Weve been realizing that a single outcome isnt as big as the overall process it takes to be a great team. Seeing what the baseball team did in the spring showed everyone that we can achieve wins on the big stage. Its all about believing we can and focusing on the little things this season.

I started pitching when I was a freshman and I was terrified, McKown added. When things arent going well, then you have to stay positive out there. People look to the pitcher and catcher for leadership in tough times. We just cant break down out there, we have to always stay positive and motivated.

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Upperclassmen setting the tone for Lady Comets program in '17 - Daily Ardmoreite