May 7, 2008

PEMBROKE, N.C. - The Carson-Newman softball team has soared to new heights in 2008, setting a school record for wins in a season (48) and a South Atlantic Conference record for single-season winning percentage.

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(Wednesday) afternoon, the Lady Eagles will take a No. 6 national ranking into the NCAA Division II Regionals, being hosted by UNC-Pembroke.

For a program that has carved out a winning tradition on both the NCAA and NAIA levels over the years, the unprecedented success correlates with the leadership of the senior class - highlighted by four-year starters Whitney Hickam and Mandy Stevens.

Batting .401 and .363 respectively, the duo combined to hit 18 home runs and drive in 117 runs this season - but their most meaningful contributions can't be measured on the stat sheet.

As the two elder statesmen of this year's team, Hickam and Stevens inherited the role of being mentors to a squad that has played a total of eight freshmen throughout the season.

"Our three seniors (Hickam, Stevens and Zoe Heim) have really kind of been the glue and mortar of this year's team, and have kept the young ones focused," said veteran C-N coach Vickee Kazee-Hollifield.

The maturity that Hickam and Stevens have showed in leading the Carson-Newman softball team this season is as much a reflection of how their own relationship has developed as anything.

Both All-District performers in Knox County coming out of high school, Hickam and Stevens knew each other long before Kazee-Hollifield brought them together in Jefferson City - and to say there was a competitive rivalry between the two might be considered an understatement.

"When Mandy and I first got to Carson-Newman, we hated each other," Hickam laughed.

"We started playing against each other when we were around 12, and we got to know each other when we were 14 and played on the same team."

"Honestly, we didn't get along very well since we were very competitive and played the same position. It was worse during basketball games. I'm glad I didn't have to guard her, because she was quick and I hated playing defense."

Stevens pointed out that the bad blood between the two only got worse as they got older, especially with her going to Karns and Hickam playing at nearby Knox Central.

"We definitely didn't get along very well once we got older. We were two of the better athletes in Knoxville, and being that our teams were in the same region made for some good competition."

So, it was awkward at first when Hickam and Stevens became teammates at Carson-Newman, and it took some time for them to let go of their past rivalry.

"It was a while before we let go of those feelings and started being real teammates," Hickam admitted.

Eventually they did however, and helped Carson-Newman to a SAC title in 2005 and the first of what is now four straight NCAA Division II Tournament appearances the pair will be a part of.

Hickam even remembered a fond moment that her and Stevens shared during their freshman year, after the Lady Eagles had just knocked fourth-ranked North Florida out of the national tournament.

"I had a hit late in the game and Mandy had a couple of hits, and they brought both of us into the press conference," said Hickam. "We sat there like knots on a log and just drank the water they had for us because we were a little overwhelmed."

Ironically, when Stevens was asked separately about her favorite memory of Hickam leading up to this season, she gave the same response.

"I still don't know why I was invited (to the press conference)," she started. "Whitney likes to tell me I had a few hits in the game, but I don't remember it."

"There we were, sitting with coach Kazee with our little cups of water. Two freshman who didn't have a clue what was going on."

Over their careers, the grudges and ill-feelings have gradually fell by the wayside.

Hickam and Stevens roomed together last season, and they would engage their competitiveness in a game of Dance, Dance Revolution, in between the late-night softball conversations.

Stevens admitted they found out real quick that the living arrangements didn't work, but that her and Hickam "made the best out of it and managed not to kill each other."

But it's been bumps like that along the way that have prepared the two to thrive as co-leaders in their final season together as Lady Eagles.

"Although we lead in different ways, I think Whit and I have pretty good leadership qualities," said Stevens. "I'm more of the bouncing off the wall type, while she is calmer. We both give it everything all the time though."

Kazee-Hollifield says that when Hickam and Stevens are on, "it's hard to beat Carson-Newman."

Although it has taken nearly their entire playing careers, the two seniors now realize just how vital their cohesiveness has been to the Carson-Newman program, especially this season.

"Before this season started, Mandy and I sat down and talked about what we wanted this team to do, and how important it was for us to stay on the same page," Hickam explained.

"Over the past four years, I think our respect for one another has grown, which has helped us step up and be good teammates and leaders this season."

"Whit is such a great player and I love being able to play along side her," added Stevens. "It's great batting behind her because it takes the pressure off me. I already know she's gonna step up there and come up with a hit."

Now the duo is ready to lead the Lady Eagles into the NCAA Tournament one last time. Although, overall, the squad is young, Stevens believes they are capable of making a lot of noise as the top seed in the South Atlantic Region.

"The freshmen are ready to go," she said. "They aren't nervous. They've been doing huge things for this team the whole year and I expect nothing less from them in this tournament."

So, as the two veterans prepare to pass the torch to a new group to carry on the C-N softball legacy, they hope to write a memorable ending to their own chapter.

"When it's all said and done, I will look back and be very proud of what this team has accomplished," said Hickam. "But our season is not over. We still have work to do."

"Sometimes when I look at our record and everything we have accomplished this year, I can't believe it," Stevens added. "We haven't got a lot of respect, but I think that just helps to fuel our fire."

"We just rely on each other and don't worry about what everyone else thinks. We'll go out there and show them who we are at regionals."