FAYETTE, Iowa - The Upper Iowa softball team begins its season by competing in the Branson Lead-Off Classic on Feb. 1-2. On Sunday, the Peacocks play Arkansas Monticello at 12:30 p.m. and Newman (Kan.) at 3:30 p.m. On Monday, they play Arkansas Tech at 11:30 a.m. and Northwestern Oklahoma State at 1:30 p.m. 

Rachel Rhode enters her first year as the head coach. She previously served as head coach of Northeastern State (Okla.), where she won 25 games in the two years she was there. Rhode is not unfamiliar with the GLVC, as she spent time as an assistant coach at Truman State (Mo.). 

MEET THE PEACOCKS: RETURNERS 
Senior Sara Reid returns as a veteran presence for Upper Iowa. Last season, she pitched a team-high 142.1 innings and recorded 107 strikeouts. She also had eight wins and pitched 14 complete games. 

"I evaluated Sara when she was at Indian Hills," Rhode said. "I have some high expectations for her this season. I'm confident the additions we've made will help support her and allow her to be at her best."

Upper Iowa brings back sophomore Dorothy Ziebell. She started four games in 17 appearances at the mound, totaling 29.1 innings with seven strikeouts. The Austin, Texas, native also made a big impact in the lineup, starting 40 of 42 games as an infielder. At the plate, she slashed .280/.306/.373.

"I'm really proud of the work Dorothy has put in this season," Rhode said. "I expect her role to grow this year. Her transition to first base has been impressive, and her versatility gives us a lot of flexibility." 

Junior Addyson Alber returns as a prolific hitter for the Peacocks. She's slashed .239/.294/.316 in her career. The Cedar Rapids native also has 13 doubles, 20 RBIs and one home run in her two-year Peacock career. 

"Alber is extremely adaptable and brings great athleticism," Rhode said. "She's always eager to learn, and we're excited to see her take on any challenge this season brings." 

Junior Kaitlin Foral and Elliott Pomeroy also return for Upper Iowa. Foral has started in 17 of the 28 games she's played in. 

"Kaitlin brings great energy to our team every day," Rhode said. "Her confidence has continued to grow, and I'm excited to see her compete in the lineup and contribute offensively. I am also thankful for the bubbly and exciting energy Kaitlin brings with her to every practice and workout."

Pomeroy has started in 47 of the 57 games she's played in, with 34 starts in 2024. She's tallied 20 hits in her UIU career. 

"Pomeroy has primarily played in the outfield, but we expect her to contribute in the infield this spring," Rhode said. "Her experience at first base has translated well and gives us valuable flexibility."

MEET THE PEACOCKS: NEWCOMERS
The key transfer for the Peacocks is redshirt sophomore Dani Laughlin from Texas State. She is a Riverside native. 

"Dani has been a great addition to our culture," Rhode said. "She works extremely hard and brings speed and pressure at the top of the lineup. We expect her to make an immediate impact in the outfield."

Upper has two incoming freshmen. Kaylee Marhefke from Neenah, Wisconsin, and Mara Sivley from Lake Stevens, Washington. 

"They're crazy and fun," Rhode said. "I call them baby deer on ice because their eyes are wide open to everything." 

Mahefke was an All-Conference Honorable Mention at Neenah High School. She's majoring in accounting at UIU. 

"It's been exciting to see Kaylee settle in," Rhode said. "She's been very adaptable, and while she arrived primarily as a catcher, her transition to the infield has gone really well."

Sivley was on the 2025 Wesco 4A Second Team at Lake Stevens High School in Washington. She's going to school to teach social science and English language arts grades 5-12. 

"Mara is adjusting well to the college level," Rhode said. "She brings a different look in the circle, which adds depth and balance to out pitching staff."

GLVC POLL
The Peacocks were picked 14th in Wednesday's GLVC Preseason Poll. UIndy took the top spot with 189 points and 11 first-place votes. 

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
Upper Iowa begins the season with the Branson Lead-Off Classic on Jan. 30-31 and the Rogers State Festival on Feb. 7-8. UIU has two preseason ranked opponents on the schedule in No. 18 Rogers State (Okla.) and No. 22 UIndy. 

"Having coached in the MIAA, I'm familiar with Rogers State," Rhode said. "It's a great early test for us, and we're focused on competing with confidence and playing our style of softball."

UIndy won last season's GLVC Tournament and earned the No. 1 selection in this year's GLVC Preseason Poll. 

"They have a history of being a powerhouse, and Coach Frost runs a really tight ship there," Rhode said. "UIndy has a good history of being a good regional team. They go out and get those must-win region wins to help their rankings."

Four different teams received first-place votes in the GLVC poll. Drury (Mo.), McKendree (Ill.) and Lewis (Ill.) joined UIndy with first-place votes. 

"This conference has continued to build over the years," said Rhode. "I have a lot of respect for it since my time working at Truman with Coach Ferrill. The conference doesn't always get the notoriety it deserves. I know since Coach Tarter (McKendree) and Coach Pearl (Lewis) each arrived at their schools, their programs have continued to make strides."