Obviously, UL's softball record was no where near what the new coaching staff expected.
With that said, there were some aspects of this past season far better than first-year head coach Alyson Habetz ever imagined.
"I've never been a part of a team that had zero, zero drama when it comes to the girls," Habetz said. "They were an incredible group to coach. The buy-in, the chemistry, the way they played for each other and with each other despite the adversity and everything that happened, I'm just so proud of them."
In other words, only consider Habetz more motivated than ever after the program's first season without an NCAA regional appearance since 1998. Discouragement isn't even part of her mindset.
"That just makes me even more motivated to win and get us where we need to be," Habetz said. "They deserve to win, those kids, and the program does ... so yes, I'm definitely motivated.
"Oh yeah, trust me, I'm more motivated than I ever have been to get this team and program back where it needs to be for sure."
While it was a refreshing change not having a daily untelevised soap opera playing out in UL's locker room, reality says Cajuns' fans are only concerned about filling up the win column once again.
In softball, that process always starts in the circle.
The good news is UL may already have next year's ace on campus, despite losing two seniors in Tyra Clary and Sam Ryan in Texas Tech transfer Sage Hoover.
Hoover was in line to be the staff's first Friday night starter option, but wasn't fully recovered from shoulder surgery until the second half of the season.
So for about three agonizing weeks, Habetz had to watch Hoover pitch without being able to utilize her.
"Oh trust me, it was hard," she said. "That was very difficult to do. But as badly I wanted to do it for our seniors, we just couldn't do that."
In fact, Hoover is slated to pitch in a summer league to get fine tuned for the fall with two years of eligibility remaining.
Senior Lexie Delbrey is now on the back end of her recovery from the same shoulder surgery and Habetz has high hopes she'll be ready for next spring.
If that works out, Mallory Wheeler will then be a strong third candidate for a weekend starter spot as a seasoned sophomore. Her next step is "more movement and being able to hit her spots at will."
Also, Habetz plans on adding a transfer portal pitcher capable of competing for a weekend starter spot.
"If we're healthy, our pitching staff is going to be really good next season," Habetz said.
Then there's the hitting. The goal there is obvious.
"I definitely think we need a little more power in the lineup," Habetz said.
Gone are senior position players Maddie Hayden, Sam Roe and Savannah White.
With all the exit interviews completed, Habetz expects all the players on last year's roster to return, except for injured freshman infielder Raenna Liscano.
She's the only player currently in the transfer portal.
In addition to Emily Smith returning as the team's home run leader, Lily Knox is preparing to join the lineup as a redshirt freshman after missing all of last season injured.
Elsewhere, Brooke Otto was originally going to start at third base and she missed the entire season injured as well. The rest of the infield is loaded with returning options.
The outfield returns Dayzja Williams and Knox, but Chayne Allen remains a question mark because of injury.
Habetz said her plan is to add two, perhaps three, position players from the transfer portal.
She doesn't expect the rare 29-win season to be a negative in recruiting.
"We're still a big-time program in a mid-major conference," Habetz said. "I think the history and the tradition of the program speak to that. Once they get on campus and see exactly what this program is about ... just see the fan base and support we have, I definitely believe we're going to get some good, quality athletes."
Moreover, Habetz said the program is in a better situation with NIL funds to attract some needed help to the program.
"Yes, it's better and that's definitely playing a role in all of this, definitely," she said.
Next year's roster will also include six incoming freshman signees, topped locally by the St. Thomas More duo of catcher Shyanne Irvin and infielder Kennedy Stutes.
The other four signees are Slidell pitcher Bailey Mackles, middle infielder Haley Hart from Alabama, catcher Natalie Johnson from North Carolina and speedy infielder Miki Watts from Loranger.
"I'm excited about all the freshmen we've got coming in," Habetz said. "I'm excited about it (offseason additions). I really am."