Tea Area softball looks to build on growth entering 2026 season

The Tea Area High School softball team is preparing to open the 2026 season with a focus on continued growth, experience and depth as the Titans return much of last year’s roster under fourth-year head coach Emmie Uitts.

Tea Area opened it’s season on Monday, March 30 in a 5-2 victory over Sioux Falls Lincoln.  Weather permitting, the Titans will host its first home game April 2 against Sioux Falls Jefferson High School. The Titans are also scheduled to host Roosevelt High School on April 7 before traveling April 9 to face Washington High School. A complete schedule is below. 

Uitts said last season served as an important transition year for the program as Tea Area adjusted to Class AA competition.

“This will be my fourth year as head coach of Tea Area Titan Softball,” Uitts said. “Last year was a rebuilding year. We had a very young team and we made the jump from A to AA. Our varsity record was 6-11. I can confidently say that our team got better throughout the season last year. We learned a lot and grew a lot and I am excited to continue that growth this year.”

The Titans graduated one senior from last year’s team, Kalli Boom, whose leadership left a lasting mark on the program.

“She was a huge part of our team but her legacy will live on in our program as she was an impactful leader to our underclassmen,” Uitts said.

Among key returners is junior pitcher Kaylyn Hall, who handled most of the innings in the circle last season.

“Kaylyn pitched the majority of our innings last year as a sophomore,” Uitts said. “She stepped up when we needed her to and we look forward to having her back in the circle and at the plate this year.”

Junior Abby Boom also returns to the outfield after contributing steady offense and leadership.

“Abby Boom is a junior outfielder who has a high softball IQ and a reliable bat,” Uitts said. “Abby leads by example and is always willing to help out where the team needs her.”

Tea Area’s senior class includes Ava Opland, Preslie Benning and Morgan Sehr — the first senior class to spend all four years in a sanctioned South Dakota high school softball program.

“This class will be the first class to have played all four years for our program,” Uitts said. “They are a special group and their unique personalities help bring our team together.”

Uitts said each senior brings a different strength to the lineup.

“Ava is a middle infielder who leads on and off the team. Preslie is a corner infielder who swung an impressive bat last year. Morgan is a vocal leader in the outfield and is always giving 105 percent effort in everything she does. I am excited to see what this group of seniors can accomplish this year,” Uitts added. 

The Titans’ primary goal this spring is steady improvement.

“Our goal for this season is to improve each game and to be playing our best softball by the end of the season,” Uitts said. “Our expectation for our athletes is that they are giving their all each practice and each game. If they do that, the outcome will take care of itself and we will be where we want to be come SoDak 16 time.”

One of Tea Area’s biggest strengths may be roster depth.

“Our versatility should go a long way this year…we have a lot of depth in every single position,” Uitts said. “Creating a lineup will be challenging with the talent we have and the kids’ desire to compete for their positions.”

She added that returning experience should help accelerate development.

“It helps that we only graduated one senior last year, so our returners know our expectations and will pick up right where they left off last season.”

Speed is another area Uitts expects to help the Titans create opportunities.

“We also have a very quick and athletic team,” she said. “I am excited to see how they will push the opposing defenses and win extra bases.”

Tea Area will compete in a difficult region that includes the Sioux Falls schools and Harrisburg.

“There are several tough teams in our area and division,” Uitts said. “The Sioux Falls schools are always good, and so is Harrisburg. We are going to focus on us and control our controllables. We will take the season one game at a time.”

Varsity and junior varsity rosters had not yet been finalized at press time, but the roster includes returning athletes Preslie Benning, Ahryana Drake, Kaylyn Hall, Abby Boom, Kenadi O’Neill, Ava Opland, Morgan Sehr, Anna Somsen, Allie Wallum, Conlee Cerny, Elena Mehlbrech, Lillian Turek, Paige Sabers, Tessa Halbur and Piper Benning, along with newcomers Morgan Broderson, Brynn Kline, Pearl Weiland, Madison Dragt, Irelynn Gibson, McKenzie Mattson and Ivy Wadsworth.

Assistant coach Brittany Hutt joins Uitts on staff, while MaKenna Somsen and Kali Van De Pol serve as student managers.

Uitts said the team hopes community support will help energize the season.

“We would love to see big crowds at all our home games this year,” she said. “Please try to come watch sometime. We play at the Tea Athletic Complex, Field D.”