Just over eight months removed from its departure from the Women’s College World Series, the No. 10 Washington softball team will open its season on Thursday against No. 17 Nebraska in the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge.

Head coach Heather Tarr will take a much younger squad into the regular season following the departure of multiple fifth-year seniors, including superstar Baylee Klingler. To the benefit of the Huskies, the emergence of sophomore pitcher Ruby Meylan gives this squad another blooming superstar to rally around.

Meylan had a sensational rookie campaign last season, finishing as a Third Team All-American and First Team All-Pac-12. Meylan posted a 2.81 ERA throughout the season while delivering an 18-7 record with 199 strikeouts in 176 innings pitched. Expect Meylan to be named the starting pitcher and serve as a major impact in tonight’s matchup.

The Huskies have had success against the Cornhuskers in the past, sporting a 12-4 record with their most recent win occurring in 2020.

Thursday night will be our first look at the new offense sporting the purple and gold, with many new names looking to make an immediate impact. The impacts of junior shortstop Rylee Holtorf and freshman outfielder Brooklyn Carter will be noteful to watch in the season’s debut.

Another name to watch will be pitcher/first baseman fifth-year Brooke Nelson, who will be one of two graduate students on the roster, and the only one returning from last year’s squad. Her expertise and leadership will play a large role for this younger squad throughout the year, especially to begin the season.

Nebraska finished the 2023 season 36-22 and was eliminated in NCAA Regionals against Oklahoma State. The Cornhuskers will be looking to get their revenge on the Huskies after losing 10-2 in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic during the 2020 season.

To finish off the opening weekend, Washington will face Utah Valley and No. 1 Oklahoma on Friday and will cap off the challenge against Iowa State on Saturday.