The University of Louisville softball team held a press conference today to preview the upcoming season. Head coach Holly Aprile and seniors Daisy Hess and Gabby Holloway were in attendance to address the local media. With the Cardinals’ Spring Sports Media Day underway, the anticipation for the new season is growing.
Coach Aprile and her team are preparing to kick off the season at the Florida Gulf Coast Kickoff Classic on February 9-10. This will be followed by a midweek matchup at FIU, and a tournament at FAU’s Joan Joyce Classic the following weekend. It’s a challenging start to the season, but the Cardinals are ready to face the competition head-on.
Last season, the Cardinals performed well, finishing with a solid 36-20 overall record and a 16-7 ACC mark. Their 16 ACC wins were the most since joining the league in 2015, showcasing their growing strength as a team. The Cardinals also received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, marking their 15th appearance in program history.
Heading into the new season, the Cardinals have a strong core of returning players. Eleven letterwinners from last year’s squad are back, including all-ACC selections Daisy Hess, Easton Lotus, and Alyssa Zabala. These experienced players will provide leadership and skill on the field. Additionally, the team welcomes 11 newcomers, including six freshmen and five transfers, to the 2024 roster. The combination of experience and fresh talent is sure to elevate the team’s performance.
Coach Aprile has been at the helm of the Cardinals for the past six seasons and has made significant strides with the program. During her tenure, the team has recorded 129 wins and earned two NCAA regional appearances, including a trip to the Knoxville Regional in 2023 and the Evanston Regional finals in 2019. Aprile’s coaching abilities have not gone unnoticed, as she was named the Leadership Playbook 2022-23 Collegiate Coach of the Year.
With the upcoming season just around the corner, the Cardinals are primed and ready to take the field. Coach Aprile, along with seniors Daisy Hess and Gabby Holloway, expressed their excitement and confidence for what lies ahead. They believe in the potential of this team and are eager to see what they can accomplish together. The softball enthusiasts in Louisville can look forward to an action-packed and thrilling season ahead.
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