By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

The summer was about more than softball for the Callaway Lady Cavaliers.

While the players got plenty of work in as they prepared for a new season, head coach Robyn McCann wanted to make sure they received some life lessons as well.

With that in mind, the players did their share of volunteer work this summer, and that included volunteering at Camp Viola, as well as helping collect school supplies for a needy student.

“We’ve been trying to reach out and do stuff in the community,” McCann said. “I’m really proud of them.”

McCann was particularly gratified to see the players embrace the opportunity to lend a hand at Camp Viola.

“Every girl came but the two girls that were on vacation,” McCann said. “It wasn’t required. It was just amazing.”

Callaway will open its season today when it faces rivals LaGrange and Troup at Granger Park.

The preparation for a new season continued in earnest last week, even as the rain forced the players off the field.

“We were in the cages one day, and we were in the little gym one day to do fielding,” McCann said. “We haven’t stopped.”

The Lady Cavaliers are coming off a successful season that included the program’s first-ever victory in the state tournament.

After finishing third in Region 5-AA, Callaway beat Douglass in the opening round of the playoffs before falling to Banks County in the second round.

Gone are senior standouts and four-year starters Kelly Carlisle and Sklyar Rice, but everyone else is returning, including seniors Oeisha Jenkins, Lydia Bartlett, Jasmine Dukes and Kalea Speer, who’ll be staples in the lineup this season.

Jenkins will also be Callaway’s number one pitcher.

“They’ve been working hard, being the leaders,” McCann said. “I’m proud of them.”

Other players McCann will be counting on this season are Leijorey Sanders, Lydia Bartlett, Kourtney Grier and Lindsay Cofield.

In addition to the veterans, McCann said there are some newcomers to the program she’s expecting big things from.

“We’ve got a younger group, too, that’s going to be really awesome,” McCann said. “We’ve got a group of eighth-graders, and freshmen, that are going to be great.”

McCann said all of the players have been giving it their all.

“They’re working hard,” McCann said. “They’re getting out in this weather, and they’re pushing hard. I respect them and I’m proud of them for it.”