In April 2025, Biola’s softball team won their first PacWest conference title in the program’s history. As they prepare for the upcoming season, the team returns with a purpose: to defend their title and keep building on the standards they set from last season’s win.
LAST SEASON’S LEGACY
Along with their title last season, the team also had 11 PacWest All Star selections for some of their players and their head coach. Head coach Kristin Halte won Coach of the year and sophomore sociology major Kendall Nakano won freshman of the year. The team ended their season with an overall record of 39-21, marking one of the strongest performances in the program’s history.
The team is definitely feeling the weight of their title from last season, senior accounting major Ariana Banos explained.
”I do feel the bar has been raised. It has set a precedent for our expectations for this upcoming season,” she said, “We had a goal last year of winning the PacWest title, and we worked towards that goal every day – on and off the field. The physical aspect of softball is not what won for us last year, but our mental aspect, which was strengthened throughout the Fall and the early days at the start of the season.”
DEFENDING THE TITLE
These women now face the challenge of working for this title all over again in order to defend it. They carry the pressure of repeating the success, but their focus remains steady with their faith in God. The seniors on the team set the tone for what the season is going to look like.
“A couple of small goals we as seniors have come up with are growing in faith as a team and being committed to one another and our team goals,” said Banos, “We want our team to be connected beyond our sport. Our goal is to graduate knowing our team has grown closer to Jesus. We also want our team to be committed to our larger goals because when everyone is working hard towards the same objective, chemistry on the team thrives.”
This team is not solely focused on keeping their title, while it is important to them, but on helping their team grow as people and in their faith.
BEYOND THE GAME
The women on this team do not just play because of their love of the competition, but their love for the game and for the people they get to share it with. When asked to share what keeps her motivated, Banos shared a beautiful memory that wasn’t just about the competition, but the community you find.
“A particular moment that inspires me to push forward from last year is our last game of the season at regionals,” she said. “We worked all season to get to that point, and we knew going into that game that it could potentially be our last game. Our seniors were giving it their all, and I could see how badly they wanted to win. This was the end of the road for them.”
For Banos, that final game wasn’t about the end score but the memories and emotions shared between the team. It was a reminder that the bonds built throughout the seasons are what truly endure.
“After we lost, the seniors said some closing remarks about our season. None of them spoke directly to softball, but to us, their teammates, and all the memories we have together. The late-night bus rides, meals shared in a hotel lobby, van rides blasting music, swimming at the beach in beautiful Hawaii, and trying new ice cream places in every city we traveled to. Those memories will last a lifetime.”
This perspective continues to push her today.
“No one is going to remember every stat for every game. My seniors speaking on their memories last year inspires me to keep going and cherish every moment spent with my teammates.”
Last season’s championship was not just a milestone but a turning point for the softball program, and the team steps into this year with not only drive for the game but a connected team. Their goals go way beyond the title and are centered around faith, relationships and unity. Their legacy is not measured only in wins or titles but the impact they leave on each other.
While their season has not officially started, the softball team recently had a scrimmage against California Baptist University and they have another two coming up on Oct. 24th at Biola on Freedom Field against Westcliff University. Their season kicks off Jan. 30th and 31st in the Concordia Kick Off Classic at Great Park Irvine.
