Monday felt like a good afternoon for the James Madison softball team to open practice on its new home field.

But wet field conditions forced the Dukes indoors for the first day of practice, though it didn't dampen the team's excitement.

JMU is coming off the first CAA softball championship in the program's history.

"I don't believe we talk about it a whole lot. I mean, it's right in the back of our minds," said junior catcher Katie Spitzer. "We know that we did win the CAA this last year. But it's not everyday conversation."

But head coach Katie Flynn says she can see a little something extra in her team this year.

"You get championship rings, and you're going to see a banner raised inside the stadium," Flynn said. "All that stuff is really exciting."

"We've definitely turned it up a notch," senior outfielder Courtney Simons said. "I feel like all of us are pushing it a little bit further."

The Dukes have 13 players returning from last year's team, which entered the CAA Tournament seeded fourth but won three straight games to clinch the title.

Among the eight players Flynn lost from last year's team are pitchers Meredith Felts and Jenny Clohan, who were both recently named to the CAA's 25th Anniversary softball team.

"As coaches, we always look one year at a time. And last year is over. It was last year. It was magical," Flynn said. "And now we just look to improve, try and get better, and see if we can maintain that level of excellence year in and year out."

"Knowing what it feels like to win CAAs, it's amazing," said Simons. "The first two years we were close, but last year, feeling that feeling, it pushes you. You can't describe it. It's surreal."

"I feel like we learned a lot. We know how to handle situations now, and how to go through everything. It's obviously a big learning step there for us," said Spitzer. "That's something you've got to strive for everyday. To get back there, and hopefully win another one this year."