Two seasons ago, the DeKalb softball team advanced to a Class 3A supersectional and thought they had a chance of getting to the state tournament in 2012.

However, star pitcher and 2011 All-State Third Team member Katie Kowalski missed half of her sophomore campaign with an injury and her absence led to what DeKalb coach Jeff Davis calls a less-than-spectacular 19-15 record and an early exit with a 19-18 loss in the regional title game.

“The first regional game was pretty awesome,” senior center fielder Sabrina Killeen said. “Facing Burlington Central with such a high score we had, it really pushes you. Losing by one pushes you to really want to win that game next year.”