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Blue Devils Set for Women's College World Series Debut
5/30/2024 10:28:00 AM | Softball
By Lindy Brown, Duke Athletics Communications
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – On Thursday, the fourth-ranked Duke softball team will step foot inside Devon Park and make their first appearance in the Women's College World Series (WCWS) as the 10th-seeded Blue Devils face second-ranked Oklahoma at 2:30 p.m. (ET) live on ESPN.
Duke head coach Marissa Young has guided the Blue Devils to the WCWS in just the seventh year as a program. With a school-record 52 wins on the year, Duke has registered an impressive season with an ACC Regular Season title, ACC Championship crown and cumulated with a trip to Oklahoma City, Okla., for the Women's College World Series.
"We're super excited to be here as a new program on the big stage for the first time," said Young. "Really proud of this group and this team, everything they've accomplished and overcome this year, the adversity that they faced to get here. We're excited to compete for a national championship."
One of 18 Division I head coaches to have the distinction of both playing and coaching at the WCWS, Young knows how hard it is to get to this point and how hard you have to work to end your season on the biggest stage of all.
"I think first and foremost, having the opportunity as a player myself to be here two out of my four years was really instrumental in understanding how difficult it is to get to this stage," said Young. "It takes the right group. It takes a lot of things to go well for you. A little bit of luck along the way. But as you all know, this year in college softball, there is so much parity. It is anybody's game on any given day. I think what I love most about this team that has got them to this point is their consistency of how they've showed up every single day, regardless of who their opponent was. They've understood what they need to do and how they need to play Duke softball to be successful. I think the consistency in their work is what got them to this point."
When Young steps foot on the field Thursday against Oklahoma, she will be the first Black head coach to guide their program to the WCWS. Another first for the 2024 ACC Coach of the Year.
"It means a lot," said Young. "I didn't have that as something to see growing up. Obviously, in taking the job here at Duke, I understood that I had an opportunity to do something that's never been done. It's taken players, like these sitting next to me, that believed in me and the vision that we had, the commitment to the program and our core values to get us to this point. I love looking at our team, all the diversity, everything we stand for. It's really, really special. I hope that it continues to open up doors for others, both in the professional setting but also players that want to play at this level."
For Inola, Okla., product Lillie Walker, this week is a little extra special for the senior pitcher. Of the six seniors on the squad, five of them had a chance to play in their home states at some point in their Blue Devil career except for Walker. She has that opportunity this week to close her collegiate career.
"Yeah, I was just telling them earlier, via photo, a family photo, we're on the field. It's me at 10 or 12, my chubby little fat stage type of thing. Now being an adult playing on this field, it's amazing," said Walker. "I've looked up to people that have come before me and played this game for so long. It's awesome to see all of our hard work and teamwork that's gone together to make this culture so great to get us here."
For many of the Blue Devils, playing this week will be a dream come true.
"I've never been to Oklahoma," said Jada Baker. "Just being here and seeing the stadium is insane. Like I've never seen a softball stadium so big. I think it's going to be awesome to be in that environment and truly take it in, step back and not worry about softball for a second, take in how amazing it is to be here."
"Some of my early softball memories were watching the College World Series," said Gisele Tapia. "One of my favorite players was Sierra Romero and watching her perform on this stage, but also having Sydney Romero as a coach last year kind of intertwined. It's so amazing. I can't thank my team enough for being able to get here, but also just the gratitude I have for my family, my parents and my supporters. I think the biggest thing for me is that I made the little girl on TV, probably 12 years ago, so happy."
As much as the Blue Devils will cherish the moment and being on this stage, this Duke squad knows they deserve to be in Oklahoma City and are not satisfied with just being here. They want to show the world the Blue Devils are one of the top softball teams in the country and contend for a national championship.
"It's been a tough balance of trying to balance enjoying the moment and what we've accomplished, but this group knows they are not done," added Young. "They're hungry for more."
To stay up to date with Blue Devils softball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeSOFTBALL"
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu
#GoDuke
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – On Thursday, the fourth-ranked Duke softball team will step foot inside Devon Park and make their first appearance in the Women's College World Series (WCWS) as the 10th-seeded Blue Devils face second-ranked Oklahoma at 2:30 p.m. (ET) live on ESPN.
Duke head coach Marissa Young has guided the Blue Devils to the WCWS in just the seventh year as a program. With a school-record 52 wins on the year, Duke has registered an impressive season with an ACC Regular Season title, ACC Championship crown and cumulated with a trip to Oklahoma City, Okla., for the Women's College World Series.
"We're super excited to be here as a new program on the big stage for the first time," said Young. "Really proud of this group and this team, everything they've accomplished and overcome this year, the adversity that they faced to get here. We're excited to compete for a national championship."
One of 18 Division I head coaches to have the distinction of both playing and coaching at the WCWS, Young knows how hard it is to get to this point and how hard you have to work to end your season on the biggest stage of all.
"I think first and foremost, having the opportunity as a player myself to be here two out of my four years was really instrumental in understanding how difficult it is to get to this stage," said Young. "It takes the right group. It takes a lot of things to go well for you. A little bit of luck along the way. But as you all know, this year in college softball, there is so much parity. It is anybody's game on any given day. I think what I love most about this team that has got them to this point is their consistency of how they've showed up every single day, regardless of who their opponent was. They've understood what they need to do and how they need to play Duke softball to be successful. I think the consistency in their work is what got them to this point."
When Young steps foot on the field Thursday against Oklahoma, she will be the first Black head coach to guide their program to the WCWS. Another first for the 2024 ACC Coach of the Year.
"It means a lot," said Young. "I didn't have that as something to see growing up. Obviously, in taking the job here at Duke, I understood that I had an opportunity to do something that's never been done. It's taken players, like these sitting next to me, that believed in me and the vision that we had, the commitment to the program and our core values to get us to this point. I love looking at our team, all the diversity, everything we stand for. It's really, really special. I hope that it continues to open up doors for others, both in the professional setting but also players that want to play at this level."
For Inola, Okla., product Lillie Walker, this week is a little extra special for the senior pitcher. Of the six seniors on the squad, five of them had a chance to play in their home states at some point in their Blue Devil career except for Walker. She has that opportunity this week to close her collegiate career.
"Yeah, I was just telling them earlier, via photo, a family photo, we're on the field. It's me at 10 or 12, my chubby little fat stage type of thing. Now being an adult playing on this field, it's amazing," said Walker. "I've looked up to people that have come before me and played this game for so long. It's awesome to see all of our hard work and teamwork that's gone together to make this culture so great to get us here."
For many of the Blue Devils, playing this week will be a dream come true.
"I've never been to Oklahoma," said Jada Baker. "Just being here and seeing the stadium is insane. Like I've never seen a softball stadium so big. I think it's going to be awesome to be in that environment and truly take it in, step back and not worry about softball for a second, take in how amazing it is to be here."
"Some of my early softball memories were watching the College World Series," said Gisele Tapia. "One of my favorite players was Sierra Romero and watching her perform on this stage, but also having Sydney Romero as a coach last year kind of intertwined. It's so amazing. I can't thank my team enough for being able to get here, but also just the gratitude I have for my family, my parents and my supporters. I think the biggest thing for me is that I made the little girl on TV, probably 12 years ago, so happy."
As much as the Blue Devils will cherish the moment and being on this stage, this Duke squad knows they deserve to be in Oklahoma City and are not satisfied with just being here. They want to show the world the Blue Devils are one of the top softball teams in the country and contend for a national championship.
"It's been a tough balance of trying to balance enjoying the moment and what we've accomplished, but this group knows they are not done," added Young. "They're hungry for more."
To stay up to date with Blue Devils softball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeSOFTBALL"
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu
#GoDuke
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