Submitted photo The 2026 Martin Luther College softball team. Front row (l-r): Kieghtan Rank, Kierah Schultz, Chloe Berg, Rachel McCaughna, Emily Laupichler and Katie Rassat. Back row (l-r): Head Coach Becca Kvam, Assistant Coach Amanda Schwanke, Sarah Yonkovich, Emily Born, Ray Schaefer, Kaylee Pickering, Chloe Koschnitzke, Kiara Humann and Assistant Coach Matt Doering.

NEW ULM — A lack of players doesn’t always make for a lack of goals or expectations.

That much is clear for Becca Kvam as she enters her fourth season as the Martin Luther College Knights head softball coach with just 12 players on her roster.

While the Knights do have some talented players back, they’re going to have to rely on plenty of new faces to step up and keep the team afloat in a tough Upper Midwest Athletic Conference. With low numbers, the team will also have to take some risks and remain confident.

“Our team theme this year is ‘Be Bold’,” Kvam said. “The theme comes from Hebrews 4:16, which reminds us to approach God’s throne of grace with confidence. In our team bible study, we have been looking at models of faith from the bible who exhibit confidence in many different ways. This theme leads to our big goal this year, to be bold in every aspect of the game.”

Despite the lack of depth, Kvam’s players aren’t taking it easy or giving up.

“Our main strengths this year are work ethic and dedication,” Kvam said. “With only 12 players, everyone is being asked to work extremely hard and do things that make them uncomfortable. Everyone is facing that head-on and taking it in stride.”

One big offensive weapon back for the Knights is junior Chloe Berg, who Kvam said will be stepping into some different roles this season for the team, pitching being the main new one. Berg will also continue getting plenty of time at first base after hitting .392 last season as a sophomore. Berg also had four doubles and three triples in 32 games last season.

Despite Berg’s big bat, the Knights will still need to pick things up at the plate this year if they want to improve on last year’s 3-29 finish.

“Our offense was a major weakness last year,” Kvam said. “We will need to improve in this area to achieve more success this year. This has been a key focus for us during preseason, and it has been fun to watch so much improvement happen so quickly.”

In addition to Berg doing some pitching this season, Kieghtan Rank will also see plenty of time in the circle.

“Kieghtan Rank is a transfer for us this year who will be our lead pitcher,” Kvam said. “She brings many years of experience, as well as a year of college-level experience. We are excited to see her continue to grow.”

Kaylee Pickering is another new name for the Knights that Kvam sees being a big addition.

“Kaylee Pickering is a freshman from Tennessee who is also coming in new this year,” Kvam said. “She will spend most of her time behind the plate at catcher, but will most likely see field time as well. With a high Softball IQ and a good eye for the game, she brings a lot to our team.”

Through 11 games, Pickering is hitting .457, while Berg is hitting .286.

Kiara Humann is hitting .371 for the Knights in their first 11 games also, while Chloe Koschnitzke is hitting .261.

The Knights got in plenty of work in South Carolina early on this season, but it was a tough trip as they went 1-9 there. They will have a doubleheader against Buena Vista in Storm Lake, Iowa, on Monday before they begin UMAC play at Crown on March 27.

“If our team focuses on our capabilities and plays to our full potential, we can hang with any and every team in the UMAC,” Kvam said.

The Knights begin play at home against UMAC-rival Bethany Lutheran College when the Vikings come to New Ulm for a doubleheader on April 7, beginning at 3:30 p.m.

In addition to being assisted by Denise Kamm and Amanda Schwanke, Kvam is happy to welcome her dad, Matt Doering, to the staff as an assistant coach. Doering, a New Ulm native, coached varsity softball at Lakeside Lutheran High School in Lake Mills, Wisconsin, for two decades.