Rebuilding.

It’s not a word fans like to hear or coaches like to use. But as Greenville High School head softball coach Donna Sunnycalb prepares to begin her eighth season at the helm of the Lady Tigers’ program, it seemed like a fitting description.

“We’re young,” she said. “Very, very young.”

Sunnycalb said that while her squad is high on potential, it falls at the lower end of the scale when it comes to experience.

“I lost six seniors and seven starters from last year’s team,” Sunnycalb said. “The bulk of our team this year is seventh, eighth and ninth graders.”

The Lady Tigers do return freshman shortstop Tankevia Durant and sophomore catcher Kenyatta Peterson.

“Tankevia has been on varsity since she was in seventh grade, so she has a lot of experience and has been one of our top players,” Sunnycalb said. “This is Kenyatta’s second year on the varsity team and she’s done well.”

Greenville also returns pitcher Whitney Boswell, who saw limited action last season after being called up from the junior varsity squad.

What the Lady Tigers lack in experience, Sunnycalb said they more than make up for enthusiasm.

“I think one of our strengths is coachability,” she said. “They listen and work hard to correct what needs correcting. We’re just working hard to get better every day. We just need to get some experience.”

The Lady Tigers will take a step in that direction Friday when they travel to Montgomery to take part in the Brew Tech Tournament.