For the WKU softball team, all roads lead back home.

Coming off a season in which the Hilltoppers were an eyelash from a Conference USA title and an NCAA Tournament berth, WKU will look to take that next step when it opens the 2025 season in Atlanta this weekend.

WKU will have to replace eight seniors with a young but talented roster that will be tested with a difficult regular season – all in preparation for the Conference USA Tournament, which WKU will host this season.

“It happens periodically,” WKU coach Amy Tudor said. “We knew that people were graduating – we lost eight to graduation – so we hit the portal. We knew the freshmen coming in. You just adjust. We feel like we have a young, talented group. I think seeing what they are going to do in big moments, making the routines, all of that will be important moving forward.”

Catcher Randi Drinnon is the lone senior, bringing the most experience. Drinnon said there was maybe a little bit of pressure being the senior leader, but the chemistry of this team has made it a lot easier.

“I have so much confidence in this team,” Drinnon said. “I think we are very autonomous and play softball really well.”

Tudor expects an offense a little less top heavy with more speed and the ability to create runs all through the lineup. Among the players expected to contribute is junior outfielder Jenna Blanton, who came through the NCAA transfer portal from Kentucky, and pre-season all-conference selection in infielder Morgan Sharpe.

“I think you are going to see a little love spread throughout the hitting and not just reliance on one or two people,” Tudor said.

In the circle, WKU loses Katie Gardner but returns Rylan Smith – who made 35 appearances as a freshman – and Maddy Wood. Newcomers Erica Houge and Delainey Bargfrede will also be in the mix.

Finding the right chemistry will be challenging with a road-tilted schedule.

Opening on Friday with Belmont in the Buzz Classic, one of five weekend games, WKU will play one more weekend tournament in Troy, Alabama, before hosting two tournaments at the WKU Softball Complex.

WKU only has four weekend series at home, with midweek games against Mississippi and Louisville rounding out the home slate.

“We will definitely be road tested,” Tudor said. “I feel like we have always played a high-quality schedule to get us ready for the tournament. I think that formula has worked. I think they have to be able to go on the road. Our goal is always to be able to play in the postseason. We are not going to host (in the NCAA Tournament), so how is it like to go into these stadiums that are maybe a little rowdy and have eight or nine arms? I think we have a stretch in there that is a little tough, but in order to be good you have to be challenged.”

And WKU will definitely be motivated after last season’s disappointing ending – a 4-3, nine-inning loss to Liberty in the CUSA championship game.

“I definitely have a bitter taste in my mouth from last year, but we do not lose at home so that is a big pride thing for us,” Drinnon said. “Having the tournament at our place makes us very excited for sure.”

It was WKU’s third appearance in the title game in four years, with the last NCAA Tournament berth in 2021. Tudor said the team is looking forward for a chance to add another conference championship on its home field.

“It’s awesome to host,” Tudor said. “I think the team enjoys playing at home. I think we have a great fan base. It’s fun to be in front of your fans and to see the excitement of the community. I feel like the past four years we have been in three championship games. We’ve done a good job there, but in figuring out how to close the doors some things have to go your way. Unfortunately last year things didn’t go our way, but we learned from that championship. This is a new team. Every team is built a little differently. We want to be who we are this year and we want to show up and show out for the fans.”