High school softball 2026 season preview: Puyallup Vikings
The high school softball season is underway in Washington, and The News Tribune has been making stops across the South Sound, visiting local programs at practices as games begin. Up next, we’re previewing a handful of teams individually as they begin league play.
Here’s how things are shaping up for the Puyallup Vikings this spring.
Editor’s note: The “outlook” section for each program is pulled from the TNT’s practice tour. Find the full practice tour story here, complete with insight on several teams in the area, quotes, photos, videos and more.
PUYALLUP VIKINGS
Head coach: Alec Elliott, 5th season
2025 results: 14-9, Class 4A District 3/4 tournament
OUTLOOK
There’s a winning expectation each and every year at Puyallup High. Alec Elliott’s squad notched back-to-back third-place finishes at the state tournament in 2023-24, a true contender more often than not.
The Vikings fell short of the bracket last spring for the first time since 2019, but second baseman Kayla Ringenbach doesn’t expect that streak to stick around long.
“I think we have the potential to go really far,” Ringenbach said. “I’m just really excited to see what we can do with all of this new talent.”
That new talent includes 16 incoming freshmen, eight of them slated to see varsity time in 2026. Ringenbach, a junior, assumed a leadership role this spring — leading drills at tryouts and showing first-year players the ropes of high school softball. Elliott loves to see it.
“She’s just a hard worker and she does it the right way,” he said. “I think the cool part is seeing her lead a little bit more this year. Being such a young group, watching her lead by example.”
In 53 career games, Ringenbach has clobbered 4A SPSL pitching despite its status as one of the state’s toughest leagues, slashing .436/.505/.814. The batting average dipped ever so slightly (.448 to .418), but Ringenbach’s homers spiked and her strikeouts dropped. Expect another strong season for the reigning SPSL first-teamer.
Expect freshman pitcher Jaycee Kemp to earn a busy role after the graduation of TNT All-Area pick Kiera Thomas. The 6-foot-1 right-hander no-hit Seattle Christian (4 IP) in the first start of her high-school career on March 10, sporting a 0.47 earned run average early on. Corner infielders Jenny Tuivaiave and Mackenzie Hardesty are back, and the strong freshman turnout helps fill the shoes of key graduates like Thomas, Amori Hargrove, and Paisley Jamison.
“Whenever you put the (Puyallup) uniform on, there’s an expectation that you make it to state,” Elliott said. “I think the freshman group knows that.”
KEY PLAYERS
INF Kayla Ringenbach
P Jaycee Kemp
INF Jenny Tuivaiave
SAVE THE DATE
March 31: vs. Graham-Kapowsin, 4 p.m.
April 1: at Sumner, 4 p.m.
April 30: at Rogers, 7 p.m.
