POULSBO — Last year’s Lady Viking fastpitch squad made history with its first ever trip to state thanks to powerful determination and a little bit of luck. The success has in effect painted a target on North’s collective jersey.

“It was really unexpected, so what it did was kind of put a bull’s-eye on us in the rest of the league to some degree,” said NK coach Dan Kolda. “I’m encouraged. We’ve got a large core of returning varsity girls and a strong group of sophomores coming in, I just don’t want to get overconfident.”

Last year, North impressed the entire Narrows League as it closed the season on tear and stormed into the district tournament. Led by standout performances throughout the dugout, the Lady Vikes earned their history making trip to the state tournament with three wins at district.

At state, with nothing to lose, the Vikes swung for the fences and captured a comeback win over Henry Jackson before blanking Southridge 4-0, to collect a 2-2 record at the tourney.

When University ended the miracle season, tears flowed from the Viking dugout; not tears of defeat but of delight for their accomplishments.

“I keep reminding them of what they did to get there; we have to start all over again and rebuild something similar,” Kolda said, adding, “I feel that intensity. I feel that desire.”

All but three players from last year’s roster are returning this season with hopes of a repeat trip to the state tournament. Perhaps most notably, the team is returning its top pitcher-catcher combo in Rachel Kramer and Melody Griffin.

“If I can get two-thirds of what (Kramer) did last year, we’re going to come out strong,” Kolda said, adding that he expects a three-deep pitching staff. “Not to mention we’ve got a young sophomore — Kendal Peiguss — throwing very well.”

In addition to Peiguss, Kolda said his sophomore class this year is talented throughout. The incomers have added depth to the roster as well as a new element to the Vikings’ offense which could change Kolda’s batting philosophy.

“I think our offense will take on a whole new look,” Kolda said. “With these sophomores, we have a really fast team. That’s gonna be the core. We know we are gonna be fast — the key is to get these girls on base.”

The sophomore class is also being weaved into a newly developing tradition, and this year’s team hopes to take the ball and run with it. But Kolda said the Vikes’ focus needs to remain immediate.

Currently, the team is in the midst of their worst pre-season weather with their first game on the horizon after just two weeks of practice partially spent indoors. Bainbridge will be crossing the bridge March 13 to kick off the spring season as North will host the Spartans in four athletic contests on the afternoon.

“We’ve gotta learn to get nasty right out the gate. I don’t care what’s at stake we play for one game at a time,” Kolda said, noting that he has been trying to instill a 2-hour killer instinct in his team. “Competitiveness is built on that, you gotta be able to flip that switch.”

North’s first chance to flip it will be at 3:30 p.m. Monday.