Jones Senior Softball Season Preview: Leadership, Competition, and Growth

Jones Senior Softball Season Preview: Leadership, Competition, and Growth

Jones Senior softball enters the 2025 season with a blend of experienced veterans and fresh faces, looking to build on their recent success under head coach Jody Turner. Coming off a 5-14 season that still resulted in a playoff berth, the Trojans aim to remain competitive in a tough conference while continuing their streak of postseason appearances.

A Legacy of Competition

Turner, now in his 13th year at Jones Senior (nine years as varsity head coach), has steadily built a culture of perseverance and hard work. Despite the program's small-school challenges, the Trojans have reached the playoffs for five consecutive seasons, the longest streak in program history.

"We just want to compete," Turner said. "We’re in a tough conference with Pamlico, Northside-Pinetown, and East Carteret. There are a lot of great teams, but our focus is to battle, win the games we should, and maybe even surprise some people."

The Heart of the Team

At the core of the Trojans' leadership is senior Payten Plyler, a standout player whose impact goes beyond statistics. A power hitter and a leader on and off the field, Flowers is the team’s only travel ball player and sets the tone for the team’s success.

"As Payten goes, we go," Turner emphasized. "She’s the heart of the team. She tied a game for us last season with a home run that must have gone 240 feet. She’s a difference-maker."

Plyler is expected to play a critical role this year, both as a pitcher and a hitter. Despite battling a shoulder issue, she remains a key factor in the Trojans’ ability to compete. Her resilience and leadership are evident as she mentors younger players and helps guide the team.

Senior Leadership & Upperclassmen Contributions

Alongside Plyler, the Trojans have a senior group that has embraced their roles as leaders, including Dakota Holmes and Jayla Young, who have been in the program throughout their high school careers. Turner refers to them as "COVID kids," athletes who missed their middle school seasons but committed early by attending high school workouts. Their dedication has translated into key contributions on the field.

The fourth senior, Lebreiya Sanders, is playing softball for the first time but has already made an impact with her willingness to learn and compete.

"They take the younger girls to the side and explain things after I do," Turner said. "They're coaches on the field, and that kind of mentorship is rare these days."

Junior Standouts

The junior class features versatile players who will be instrumental this season. Riley Murphy is a high-level athlete who plays multiple positions, including catcher and pitcher. Turner describes Murphy as a true utility player who "hits the ball a ton" and plays with a competitive edge, even as volleyball remains her primary sport.

Another key contributor is Carson Combs, whose older sister, Olivia, was a standout for Jones Senior. Turner believes Carson has the potential to be just as good, if not better. "Between Riley and Carson, those two are pivotal for us. They bring athleticism and competitiveness every game."

Makenzie Maines, who had the highest batting average on the team as a freshman before taking a year off due to homeschooling, returns and is expected to reclaim a major role in the lineup.

Sophomore Impact

The Trojans have a promising group of sophomores, led by Kayra Dickson, who hit .311 last season and is expected to take on a larger role in the offense. Katie Davidson and Taylor Brown also return and will provide depth as they continue developing their skills.

Freshman Spotlight

Jones Senior’s lone freshman, Kynlee Whaley, is an exceptional athlete with high potential. Originally slated to start at shortstop, Whaley was thrust into the pitching role unexpectedly in a recent game. Despite early struggles, she showed resilience and settled in.

"She was scared to death at first, but she adjusted," Turner said. "Defensively, this might be one of the better teams I’ve had. They make plays and know where the ball needs to go."

Coaching Through Experience Gaps

With a roster featuring experienced returners alongside players new to the sport, Turner embraces the challenge of developing his team.

"That’s small-school softball," he said. "Our girls play multiple sports, and by the time we get them in the spring, they’ve played volleyball, basketball, or tennis. There's no rec league or middle school pipeline, so we have to teach the game from the ground up. But these girls are athletes, and they learn fast."

With Plyler leading the way, a solid group of juniors and sophomores, and an emerging young talent in Whaley, the Trojans enter the season ready to compete. Their goal? To extend their playoff streak and continue building a legacy of success at Jones Senior.