VIDEO: Vickee Kazee-Hollifield Interview

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman softball's 30^th anniversary season will feature six of the eight teams that made last year's Southeast Region tournament and another that represented the Midwest region.

Carson-Newman will challenge USC Aiken, Georgia College, Mount Olive and conference foes Anderson, Wingate and Lenoir-Rhyne, all of whom advanced to postseason play last year.  The Eagles also are scheduled to face Bellarmine, the eight seed from the Midwest Region at the Mid-South Classic.

"This prepares us for conference play," head coach Vickee Kazee-Hollifield said. "But playing six quality teams like that, it helps your strength of schedule, and we always have an eye on that with hopes of securing a spot in the regionals."

For the first time in four years, the Eagles will play the role of road warriors, with just four February home games.  After opening the season Feb. 4 at Belmont Abbey, the Eagles lift the lid on the Vickee Kazee-Hollfield Softball Complex with the a Feb. 7 doubleheader against Bluefield State.  An eight game road trip follows, before the Eagles welcome in Lees-McRae for a Feb. 25 meeting. 

"That's just the way it happened," Kazee-Hollifield said. "We had five home games come our way last year because we were able to get our field ready. Really, this is for our sports information director, to give him a break. But really, I'd rather be home for the latter part down the stretch run." 

Carson-Newman does close the year with two of three conference series at home. Senior day is April 15 against rival Tusculum.

"There's really not an easy game," Kazee-Hollifield said. "We have to be ready to play day in and day out."