36 wins in one softball season may not be easy to come by, yet the Quincy University squad has strung together that many almost with ease. Monday, the NCAA rewarded the Lady Hawks for their efforts, and it now leaves the team with an abundance of opportunity as the weekend approaches.

Excitement flooded the Hall of Fame Room at Quincy University Monday morning, as the Lady Hawk softball team found that for the first time in school history, they will play in the Midwest Regional Tournament this weekend.

"I think when we set goals, we reach them, and as long we keep doing that, we'll be successful because we're a competitive team," said QU junior pitcher Torie Bunzell. "We can do whatever we want as long as we're relaxed and prepared for it."

A familiar opponent lies in wait up in Detroit: Wayne State, a team that Quincy took down by a 3-0 final back at the beginning of the season in Florida.

"We played well down in Florida, and I hope we bring same game when we play them again up there," said QU coach Charlene Obert.

Despite an early exit in the GLVC conference tournament last weekend, QU won't allow a few slow performances to deter them from their course, and new postseason goals.

"We progressed in many ways this year," said Obert. "We've made mistakes, but we're good at bouncing back and all that's in the past. It's behind us, and now we're focused on the present."

"The most important thing for us is to forget the past two weekends," Bunzell said, referencing the team's final regular season weekend and GLVC tournament appearance. " The conference tournament - that wasn't us out there. We were strong all year, and two weekends doesn't prove who we are. A whole season proves that."

The Hawks have rolled through the majority of their schedule in 2010. Bunzell maintains a 0.81 ERA to go with her 25-7 record this year, along with 326 strikeouts. Offensive firepower has been a pleasant surprise as well for the team, as the Hawks have cranked a combined 56 home runs this season.as a team - a new school record. While the enjoyment of advancing to the postseason lasted a few hours on Monday morning, it is quickly back to work before Friday's game.

"It's a whole new journey, and we need to do what we can to prove who we are," Obert said.