The program joins Northeast’s growing athletic lineup, which includes men’s and women’s basketball, men’s golf, women’s volleyball and men’s soccer.
“We do have some highly talented players on the team that I am very excited to see actually play in real games instead of just hitting the balls off machines or just playing against each other. I’m excited to see us play against other teams to see where exactly we stack up to them,” Woodhead said.

Woodhead, who previously worked as assistant softball and assistant women’s basketball coach at McCook Community College, said she set numerous goals for the team after their brief fall season.

“Our number one goal (last) fall was to play the game the right way, and that’s hustling on and off the field, cheering on each other, speaking with the umpires in an appropriate manner, and we’ve really achieved that. Our work ethic is there, which is exactly what one of our goals was for this season.”
Woodhead says that when recruiting, she looks for players with strong character overall.

“When I recruit, I watch not only how the players act on the field but how they act in the dugout, how they interact with their parents, coaches and teammates.”
While Woodhead primarily recruited players from the local area, two of the 12 players are from out-of-state. “My sights are not just set on Nebraska, and I look in other places as well,” she said.

Team members include: Kianna Garza, Patterson, California; Ashley Gilsdorf, Platte Center; Kylie Givens, Wahoo; Leah Grovijohn, Dodge; Lindsey Kvidera, Ponca; Hunter McCarter, Norfolk; Kelsie Myers, Broken Bow; Maddison Oltjenbruns, Primrose; Amy Rogers, Craig; Alyson Romey, Erie, Colorado; Logan Runge, Columbus; Paige Schmidt, Osmond.
Woodhead said she is looking to build key skills this season that carry over into future seasons.
“We very much want to build our foundation this year, so that in the next couple years Northeast has developed as the team to beat.”

The Hawks softball season will consist of 30 spring dates. They will play in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference, Division II.

The team opens its season with a double header against North Platte Community College on Saturday, February 13 in North Platte. The team’s first home contest will be against Southeast Community College on Sunday, February 21. Game times are 3 and 5 p.m. at the softball complex at Ta-Ha-Zouka Park in Norfolk.