Last Monday we unveiled our preseason FAB 50 High School Rankings and the top spot was occupied by the team that finished last year as the No. 1 team: the Diablos of Mission Viejo, Calif.

We had a chance to talk to Head Coach Troy Ybarra, who along with assistants Toni Mascarenas and Jay McGowan, have a team loaded with returning talent including five starters going to the Pac-12.

Coach Ybarra tells us what stood out about last year’s squad, what the goals are for this year and the starting line-up from top to bottom…

***

FullCountSoftball: What an amazing year in 2014, especially the championship game… what do you remember most about the victory?
Troy Ybarra: Kayleen Shafers base hit up the middle and Watching Devon Beach cross the plate for the winning run.

FCS.com: Years from now, when you look back on that magical season, what will you remember most?
TY: Probably the team chemistry. This group of kids really bonded well. It is very important that they feel as one and that they have each other threw thick and thin.

FCS.com: Going into last year, did you think the team was going to be as good as it ended up being?
TY: We knew we had the talent and maturity. From the beginning it was all about winning a C.I.F. Championship for the first time in Mission Viejo High schools history. Being 2014 State and National Champions and Taylor McQuillin being awarded National Gatorade Player of the Year was a whole lot of icing.

FCS.com: Enough looking backwards!  Let’s talk about the 2015 edition… how many players did you lose and who will be toughest to replace?
TY: We graduated 3 seniors. 3 bats, 3 very good defensive payers. Alysha Everett, Shianne Ybarra and Sara Higa are all playing softball in college. A couple of sophomores ,Kyra Snyder who will probably bat 4th, and Bella Loya saw some playing time last year will have to step it up with freshman Terra McGowan.

FCS.com: Walk us through the line-up, Players 1-9, and tell us what each player brings to the team. Also, who will add depth to your bench?
TY: Our starting line-up will go like this:

1. CF Alyssa Palomino (2015, Arizona)
Alyssa hits for power and average and holds the Orange County record for home runs.

2. 3B Camryn Ybarra (2017, Oregon State)
Camryn hits for average and is disciplined at the plate.

3. C Kayleen Shafer (2015, Oregon State)
Kayleen is clutch when it counts.

4. 1B Kyra Snyder (2017, Louisville)
Kyra does not get cheated in her swings!

5. P Taylor McQuillin (2015, Arizona)
At the plate Taylor is a power hitter who also hits for average.

6. SS Allison Harvey (2016, Princeton)
Allison is also clutch and a good presence in the box.

7. 2B Bailey Roberson (2015, uncommitted)
Bailey is a contact hitter and uses all fields.

8. LF Bella Loya (2017, Illinois)
Bella hits for power for us.

9. DP/RF Terra McGowan (2018, Arizona State)
Terra is a freshman who doesn’t think in the batter’s box and also hits to all fields.

Our bench looks like this:

— OF/IF Devon Beach (2016, uncommitted)
— SS/OF Samantha Dees (2017, Illinois)
— P Hanna Nilsen (2016, uncommitted)
— 3B Allison Rawls (2017, uncommitted)
— C/OF Peyton Cody (2018, uncommitted)
— OF Alyssa Haynes (2018, uncommitted)

FCS.com: What do you see being the strengths of the team and what areas concern you?
TY: We do have team chemistry again. It is so important with freshman to seniors getting along on the dirt.

FCS.com: What are some of the big games or events you have circled on the calendar for this year?
TY: Our three tournaments will be very competitive: the Tournament of Champions in Bullhead City, Ariz.; Best of the West at Pacifica High in Garden Grove, Calif. and a new one for us, the Michelle Carew Classic in Anaheim. The teams in these are all top of the list.

FCS.com: It’s so hard to win it all because one bad bounce can knock you out of the playoffs… will another other than a repeat CIF title be a disappointment?
TY: Yes. Our team has the same goal in mind as everyone else, win a C.I.F. title… end of story!

FCS.com: Last question, what excites you most about coaching this team?
TY: The team’s chemistry, work ethic, attitude, heart, drive, passion, the discipline, desire to win and efforts to get better everyday. And I’m not kidding!