LYNNWOOD — After a drought of not appearing in the postseason, the Lynnwood softball team not only went to the Northwest 3A District tournament last year, but fell just a win short of a trip to state.

This season, with much of that team returning, coach Jayme Horn is looking for improvement.

“That was a great accomplishment,” she said. “This year we are hoping to take it one step further.”

Horn, in her third season as head coach and her fifth with the program, has nine returning varsity players.

According to her players, Horn has stepped things up in early season drills, taking a different approach by installing a variety of drills that go beyond fundamentals.

How effective that will be during the season has yet to be proven. In two non-league games against Sedro-Woolley and South Whidbey, the Royals were unable to produce a victory.

Though Lynnwood is a 3A school, competing in the tough Western Conference 4A South Division isn’t such a bad thing, according to senior pitcher Ali Masterson.

“It makes us stronger,” Masterson said. “When we get to districts, we face teams we haven’t seen and playing the better 4A teams makes us better prepared for that.”

The Royals will go with an all-class team on the mound, using a senior, a junior, a sophomore and a freshman. The staff will be led by Brittany Roden, who also plays shortstop.

If familiarity breeds teamwork, then the Royals’ infield should be the key to success.

The infield is nearly intact from last season: Dawnya Anderson at first base, Diana Hansen at second, Karen Hansen at shortstop and Kari Lloyd returning at third. Junior Brittni Thoreson will be behind the plate.

At the plate, Brie Kennedy will step into the designated hitter role.

The team is loaded with seniors and a sprinkling of juniors and sophomores. The lone freshman to crack the varsity lineup is Melissa Hines, a pitcher.

It is in the outfield where youth will rule.

Two sophomores, Danielle Dewey and Jessica Anderson, will share duties with juniors Kali Mudie, Samantha Janssen and Morgan Liddell.

Janssen is off to a hot start in the opening games of the season, making four catches in one game.

For Horn, this season is a dream come true.

“The dedication to the team of each individual is very important,” she said. “I am proud to be their coach. I am the luckiest coach ever to have such a great group of young athletes.”