Huskers Open Practice on Monday

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Lincoln - The Nebraska softball team begins its quest to repeat as champions of the Big 12 Conference on Monday, January 17, when the Huskers officially open practice for the 2005 season.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

Head Coach Rhonda Revelle, who boasts a 473-240 career record at NU, is ready to guide the Huskers for a 13th straight season.

 

"I’m really anxious to get started, I just wish we had the temperatures we had a few weeks ago,” Revelle said. “Since we play in four weeks, we’re chomping at the bit to get going and there’s always a sense of urgency and excitement.”

 

The Huskers will have nearly three full weeks of practice before they travel to Las Vegas, Nev., Feb. 11-13, for their season-opening tournament, the UNLV Desert Classic. Nebraska will kick off the season with two games on Feb. 11, facing UC Santa Barbara and host UNLV.

 

The Huskers will play five games in the Classic, including contests against OregonState and Tennessee, which finished the 2004 season ranked 15th and 18th, respectively. At last year's tournament, NU went 2-3 while facing three consecutive top-10 opponents to open the season.

 

NU, which finished 45-17 in 2004, returns seven starters from last year's Big 12 regular-season and tournament championship squad, including four All-Big 12 selections and three All-Midwest Region honorees.

 

A talented core of returning players, combined with a young but talented pitching staff has Revelle confident about her team's chances in 2005.

 

“I think you need to wipe the slate clean and start building toward the next title,” Revelle said. “We’re not talking about defending the title, we’re talking about going after the next one.”