A year removed from finishing 7-9 in the Colonial League and falling in the first round of the District 11 Class AAA tournament, the Northwestern softball team is looking to take another step forward in 2015.

The Tigers hope that success comes under first-year head coach Josh Zimmerman, who spent five seasons as the Tigers' assistant coach behind Jen Horner. And despite graduating a number of vital members from last year's team, the Tigers do return a number of conference all-stars that will look to help lead Northwestern on another postseason run.

"In our first preseason meeting, the theme of the meeting was goals," Zimmerman said. "We set two of them: qualify for league playoffs [and] qualify for districts. If we get to those, it is as much of a chance of ours to win as it is anybody else's."

Callie Rehrig was an all-league honorable mention selection at first base last year, but her graduation leaves a void on one corner of the infield. The Tigers' other biggest question mark is in the outfield, as all three starters from last year (Morgan Cleary, Erynn Day and Kyliee Bennett) have graduated.

"We have such a solid nucleus back," Zimmerman said. "Our only question marks are filling the outfield positions and first base. I think we have the girls to step up in those positions, but you never truly know until you get into game situations."

Senior Emily Bennett, juniors Lydia Danner, Ellen Smith and Morgan Billing, and sophomore Avery George are a number of candidates to fill in the outfield positions. Bennett and Danner figure to be two of the Tigers' top pitchers this season, too.

Junior Alyssa Roda, a newcomer to the team, figures to see time at first base. Junior Alyssa Cinquemani and sophomore Jessica Badman are both newcomers as well in the outfield.

A Colonial League First Team selection, junior second baseman Claire O'Dea returns to the Tigers' infield and lineup as one of their top leaders. O'Dea was the only first team honoree a year ago, but there is still plenty of talent up and down the lineup.

Senior catcher Sunny Greenberg, a second-team all-league pick in 2014, is back behind home plate. As one of two seniors, along with Bennett, she'll provide plenty of leadership to a team that suits up six juniors and three sophomores.

"I have been around a lot of teams, and I have to say that this team ranks up there with ones that embody what it means to be a team," Zimmerman said. "The success of the team means much more to these girls than individual accomplishments. I think that is a rarity in today's world."

Sacrificing playing time or a certain position on the field has allowed the Tigers to become even stronger under Zimmerman.

"A prime example is when I asked Morgan Billing if she'd be willing to learn another position," Zimmerman said. "Her words to me were: 'whatever makes the team better.' That's the type of girls that I am coaching. It makes my job that much easier."

Sophomore shortstop Brooke Wear and junior third baseman Caitlyn Bowers round out the Tigers' infield.

Northwestern is scheduled to open its season on Wednesday against Palmerton. Results were not available at time of press. The Tigers travel to Southern Lehigh on Friday at 4 p.m.