After a year in absence, varsity softball has returned to Prince Edward County High School, and it has a highly-credentialed woman at the helm of the program.

LaDonia Mujahid, a Prince Edward alum, brings years of experience as a college coach to the Lady Eagles head coaching position, as well as years of playing experience, both professionally and in college.

She spent the past two seasons coaching at Fuqua School, but prior to that, she coached for two years at Oakland University, in Michigan, four years at Western Illinois University and one year at Daytona Beach Community College.

Mujahid also continues to help coach the Richmond Storm 18U travel ball squad, which she once played for.

As a player, she was a catcher/outfielder for Lake City Community College, in Florida, before becoming an outfielder for Louisiana State University.

Mujahid played for six years in the National Pro Fastpitch League, competing for the New England Riptide, the Arizona Heat, the Washington Glory and the USSSA Pride.

She noted that her first year coaching the Lady Eagles will be like a rebuild of the program.

“I came in and was brought in to change the culture of this program, kind of put it back into where it was when I was here, really,” she said.

Prince Edward is off to a 1-2 start after edging visiting Bluestone High School 6-5 on Tuesday.

Mujahid is focusing her expectations on basic elements at this point as she guides the team’s development.

“There are some good things and obviously some things we need to work on,” she said. “But for me, as long as we get better and we play hard, I’m OK with whatever the results are.”

She would not rule out the possibility of a playoff run if the team becomes a cohesive unit, but she also outlined the challenge that the Lady Eagles face.

“I’m sure every other team, you have a lot of girls that are on the team that have played softball before that are on travel ball teams,” Mujahid said. “We don’t have that right now. We have some girls that have played travel ball and some girls have played in the PEFYA league, but not everyone.”

The coach highlighted three expected standouts: senior outfielder/second baseman Alexis Gayles, junior catcher Sarah Edwards and junior pitcher Shauneice Beasley.

“Those are the three leaders that will help lead our team to wherever we’re going to go or whatever it is that we’re going to do,” Mujahid said.

Gayles has been sidelined by a knee injury, and Mujahid was awaiting word Tuesday on the timetable of her return.

The Lady Eagles hosted Goochland High School on Thursday, and they visit Amelia County High School on Tuesday at 5 p.m.