Last year, for only the second time in school history, the Coupeville softball team qualified for the state tournament. The Wolves are aiming to make it a more frequent occurrence.

“As a team, our goal is to go to state playoffs again this season,” coach Deanna Rafferty said. “All the girls have a strong desire to win, and, as a coach, I expect nothing less.”

A pair of three-year starters will form the nucleus of this year’s team.

Senior McKayla Bailey, coming off shoulder surgery, will return to the circle for the Wolves, and senior Hailey Hammer is back to anchor a solid batting order.

“Our batting is, without a doubt, our strength this year,” Rafferty said.

Hammer was second-team, all-Cascade Conference and Bailey honorable mention in 2014.

Joining Bailey and Hammer in the lineup are returning letter winners senior Monica Vidoni (outfield/first base) and sophomores Tiffany Briscoe (left field) and Jae LeVine (second base).

A strong freshman class, which helped the Central  Whidbey Little League junior team qualify for the state tournament last summer, will help fill in the holes.

The ninth-graders are led by Katrina McGranahan, Kyla Briscoe, Hope Lodell and Heather Nastali.

McGranahan will join the starting rotation, and Kyla Briscoe will add pitching depth.

Rose will start at catcher.

“She may be new to the position, but she is already showing great promise,” Rafferty said.

Lodell will play centerfield and help out behind the plate, and Nastali will hold down an outfield spot.

A pair of sophomores, Robin Cedillo and Jasmine Melena, are also in the running to start in the outfield.

“My underclassmen are a big portion of the team, and I think that’s great,” Rafferty said. “The upperclassmen are working well with the young girls and helping train them and vetting them for future seasons. All of these girls show great promise, and I foresee having a state-worthy team for the next couple years.”

Rafferty is in her first year, replacing co-coaches David and Amy King.

“The girls are handling the change well,” she said. “We are slowly finding our groove as a team and trying to meld my coaching techniques with their playing preferences.”

The Wolves, 8-20 last year, entertain Sultan at 4 p.m. Monday, March 16, in the season opener.