The victory achieved by the softball team was accomplished by “sacrifice and loss of ego,” according to head coach Jairus Tapp.

Tapp has coached softball for eight years, since Staley has opened. He said his job as a coach is to better the team.

“I’m just a coach,” said Tapp. “My job is to put players in the best position for them to succeed.”

Though Tapp said he thinks of himself as just a coach, the team views what he does for the team differently.

“Tapp encourages us to be better every day,” said freshman outfielder Gabriella Abbot.

Motivation was important for the team during the season. Tapp said that the players are the ones who motivate one another, however he does believe in them.

“I’m not exactly a motivator,” said Tapp. “I make them believe that I believe in them.”

The players notice how much he believes in them. Senior third baseman Jordan Jenkins said that she has gained more respect for him over the four years he has been her coach.

“He believes in us with everything he’s got,” said Jenkins.

Another player, junior outfielder Nicole Gravett said that the faith Tapp has in the team is what contributed to their success. According to Gravett, Tapp coaches well because he doesn’t overreact when they make mistakes. Instead, he tells them how much he believes in them, which is why the team wanted to be better and improve.

“Since he believes in us, he knows we will make up for our mistakes,” said Gravett.

From the start of the season, Tapp said they were the “team of destiny,” and Jenkins said that is what made them believe in themselves. Tapp also said the team was unique.

“They’re special,” said Tapp. “They are resilient and selfless.”

In order to be a selfless player, Tapp said sacrifices need to be made for other teammates. For him to be a selfless coach, Tapp said he sacrificed time with his family. He also said that the they learned to put the success of the team before their personal success.

“A good team is a family who makes sacrifices for the other members,” said Tapp.

The aspect of the team feeling like  family is what gave them the chemistry to win, according to Tapp. Freshman outfielder Katelyn Kiser said he always tells the team that they are a family.

“Coach Tapp gets along with everyone,” said Kiser. “We feel like he’s the father in the group.”

Tapp’s support as a coach impacted the team. Kiser said everyone understood working together as a family would get them to state, and that is what the team did.

When the championship game began, the team knew they were a family and believed in one another from the encouragement and support from Tapp, according to Gravett. Still, Tapp said he views his position as a coach like part of the crowd.

“I’m just a coach,” said Tapp. “I’m a fan on the sideline.”