This Friday, the Virginia Tech softball team starts play in its fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament.
The Hokies have heard their names called on Selection Sunday every full season since 2019.
After making history in 2022 and hosting the Blacksburg Regional for the first time in program history, head coach Pete D'Amour and the Hokies turn their focus to Athens, Georgia.
Being no stranger to the NCAA Regionals tournament, coach D'Amour expects the team to lean on their seniors to set the tone early.
"I think they're ready," D'Amour said in Sunday's media availability following the selection show. "Our seniors have played in four of these [NCAA Regionals] now. They know what to expect, and they will bring the young ones along."
Anchoring the roster are six seniors looking to break through the wall at Super Regionals, which the team has advanced to in the previous two seasons.
"No matter what our record says or what we've done in the past, we're a good team," senior utility player Jayme Bailey told the media. "We have good coaching. We have good players. We have the talent."
With six players who earned 2023 All-ACC honors on the roster, there is plenty of talent to find success.
Leading the offensive charge is junior outfielder Emma Ritter, who leads the team in batting average (.358) and stolen bases (16). Her continuous success could provide a spark to push the team further.
"We have a lot of seniors and people graduating this year," Ritter said. "I think it's super important that we go out and play hard for them, especially since this is their last postseason. Just all the talent and leadership that they've brought to this team is so awesome, so we want to play for them and make them proud."
Overall, Hokie Nation has plenty to root for again this postseason. Tech will begin its NCAA Regionals play against Boston University.
Writing HERstory Campaign
Coinciding with Women's History Month in March and the 50th anniversary of Title IX, Virginia Tech Athletics launched a multi-platform brand campaign celebrating the incredible achievements of its female student-athletes, both past and present, while inspiring the next generation of women who aspire to achieve their dreams through athletics. In partnership with Truist, Tech will share stories of its past and current female student-athletes over the course of the calendar year. Ranging from podcast interviews to feature stories and more, the incredible moments and achievements by women over the years in Virginia Tech Athletics will be celebrated. To make a direct impact on the program or to sign up for the monthly Writing HERstory newsletter.
