SAN FRANCISCO – It may be a young look for Academy of Art University softball this year, but second year head coach Sonja Garnett and the Urban Knights are set to continue their tradition of playing hard for one another as a united squad in 2016.

ART U comes off a 2015 season to remember where the Knights broke numerous records, dominated at home, and ultimately achieved the program's best record since 2011. For more on the Academy of Art's accomplishments last year, click here!

As the Knights navigate their 52-game schedule, they will encounter numerous tough tests including Humboldt State and Dixie State ranked No. 13 and No. 2 respectively on the National Fastpitch Coaches Association preseason poll. A total of 14 non-conference contests prepare ART U for a PacWest slate that features a roadtrip to play 10 games in Hawaii and a 10-game homestand that will include both Dixie and California Baptist. The Knights also return to Stanislaus State's Tournament of Champions to play six games in three days (Apr. 1-3). For more on the Knights' 2016 schedule, click here!

Academy of Art opens its campaign this Thursday, Feb. 4 at 11 a.m. (Live Stats) hosting a Humboldt State team that made its third consecutive trip to NCAA Regionals with a 42-19 record in 2015. That Opening Day doubleheader is followed by a pair at Chico State on Saturday, Feb. 6 at noon (Live Stats). The Wildcats, who are picked to finish fourth in the CCAA preseason coaches' poll, also reached the 2015 NCAA Tournament, going 29-21 before falling to California Baptist.

This year, the Urban Knights welcome back a pair of seniors in catcher Elise Oldham and outfielder Andrea Gill. Oldham rides the momentum of a stellar junior season in which she batted .329, slugged .503, and finished with team-highs in home runs (7) and RBIs (38).

A seven-member junior class features returning outfielders Hallie Curtis, Jessica West, pitcher Alexa Peters, 2015 redshirts Sierra Gudvangen (utility) and Hunter Allen (pitcher) plus new additions in outfielders Cedar-Rain Yellowmule and Mariah Latham. West proved to be one of the tougher outs in the PacWest last season with just nine strikeouts in 155 at-bats in addition to joining four of her teammates among the conference's top 16 in doubles (12).

Both of the Urban Knights' sophomores earned PacWest postseason honors last year after memorable freshman seasons. Infielder Samantha Klune was All-PacWest Second Team while pitcher Brenna Mitchell made All-PacWest Third Team. Starting all 49 games as a freshman, Klune hit .318 with 12 doubles (the most in the PacWest by a freshman) and four home runs. Mitchell, the first 20-game winner in program history and three-time PacWest weekly award winner, wrapped up her first collegiate season ranked first in the PacWest in innings pitched (205.2), strikeouts (150), complete games (21), and was fourth in the country among freshman in wins (20).

The program's largest freshman class since year one in 2008 is composed of a collection of players who have already made a major impact. Infielders Juliana Lopez, three-time all-league and former teammate of Mitchell at Angelo Rodriguez High School, Jennifer Thompson (Arroyo High), and Brenna Yongquist (Kennedy High) will be called upon to fill critical spots left by last year's seniors while utilities Adrianna Rupright (Olympia High), Katie Tablada (Buchanan High), and Taylor Ah Mook Sang (James B. Castle High) enhance the versatility of this ART U squad. Freshman pitcher True Park further expands the depth of the Knights' rotation, bringing three years of league championship caliber talent from Pleasant Valley High School.

Channeling its youthful energy and wily veteran leadership, Academy of Art softball begins its 2016 journey this Thursday.