Softball preview: Weber Warriors

by James Tate

Weber Warriors

2024 overall and region record (10-13) (5-5)

Head coach: Mercedes O’Connor

The Weber Warriors will have former Brigham Young University standout Mercedes O’Connor to lead them as their new head coach in 2025. At BYU, Coach O’Connor started for the Cougars from 2012-2015. Before attending BYU, Coach O’Connor prepped at Edison High School in Huntington Beach, California. Coach O’Connor brings over 20 years of experience playing competitive fastpitch and more than 10 years of experience coaching at the high school level and in competitive softball in California and Utah.

Coach O’Connor is ready for the challenge of a first-year head coach and understands the opportunity to see her team grow and learn her coaching philosophy and expectations.

“My coaching philosophy centers around cultivating a championship mindset on and off the field,” coach O’Connor said. “A championship mindset involves putting forth maximum effort in all endeavors, upholding respect and good sportsmanship, taking full accountability for our actions, fostering healthy competition while supporting everyone in our program, and maintaining a proactive approach to learning and development. It is essential to empower the young women in my program.”

“Establishing a culture that aligns with my coaching philosophy and goals will involve growing pains,” coach O’Connor said. “This season, my expectations are that we celebrate our achievements, confront challenges, and wholeheartedly enjoy the journey as we strive toward our ultimate goal of becoming champions.”

Aliya Rhees

The Warriors will miss senior Logyn Howell, the team’s leading hitter last season. Due to an injury, Howell will be out for the season. Howell has committed to continuing her education and playing basketball at Utah State Eastern next season. The Warriors will look to seniors Aliya Rhees, Mia Sprouse, and junior Morgan Dixon to step in, lead the team, and build coach O’Conner’s championship mindset.

Rhees is a utility player and scored 11 runs and smacked four doubles last season. Senior Gabby Montgomery is a veteran who has played in 34 career games and was second on the team with 20 runs scored in 2024. Junior Hailey Merrill is back after batting .300 with 12 runs batted in last season.

The Warriors will be young, determined, and a team that gets better with each game under Coach O’Connor and her staff.

Players to watch

Raegan Blaisdell, junior

Ari Hillan, junior

Morgan Dixon, junior

Key losses

Kendall Strasburg

Ellie Nielsen (Utah State Eastern)

Olivia Boswell

photos courtesy of James Tate