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“I feel really good about the people on the bus,� the Arizona softball coach said. “You gotta get the wrong people off the bus. You gotta get the right people on the bus.

“Right now, it feels like we recruited the right people for the bus, and I think that’s uber-important. I’m talking staff-wise, player-wise, everybody.�

It turns out that Lowe was paraphrasing , who wrote about that concept in his book “Good to Great.�

That title is a perfect summation of what Lowe is striving to accomplish in her fifth year as the Wildcats’ head coach.

Arizona made three NCAA Tournament appearances in her first four seasons. The Wildcats reached the Women’s College World Series and a Super Regional once apiece. They were eliminated in the regional round, at home, this past season.

Lowe understands how disappointing that finish was and how high the expectations are for UA softball.

“We want to win a national championship every year,� she said. “We recruit people who want to win national championships every year. When we recruit (and) pour into people, we’re trying to make them champions every single day with the way they show up.

“Does that equal a championship every year? Not necessarily. But I think that we’re building winners, and we’re building winners that can go on and do anything.�

Lowe and her staff are laying that foundation during fall practices and exhibition games. Her revamped squad, which features five first-year transfers and four freshmen, takes on Benedictine Mesa and Chandler-Gilbert in a doubleheader Friday evening at Hillenbrand Stadium.

In an interview with the Star, Lowe discussed Arizona’s busy offseason, what’s stood out about some of the Wildcats’ newcomers, the state of the pitching staff and the progress some of the returnees have made. The conversation has been lightly edited.

How do you feel about the roster you put together? What was the plan?

A: “When we hit the transfer portal ... we really cared a whole lot about character first. It’s tricky when you dive in there and (try to) figure out about people.

“At the same time, we wanted to check all the boxes. Obviously, the talent hits first, and what they’re going to bring to the team. But we wanted to make sure when we brought people in on visits that they were the right people coming into this program.

“We added a lot of speed, a lot of versatility, a lot of people that can do multiple things. We have catchers training in the outfield right now to get bats in the lineup. It’s really just a whole lot of athleticism. We’re figuring out how the pieces fit.�

The UA football coaches have compared the portal to speed dating. Is it like that for softball, too?

A: “Yes and no. They’re dealing with bigger numbers. When you’re filling your roster (in softball), you’re not adding as many bodies, so that doesn’t feel as much like speed dating. But it’s funny that you say that because I’m pretty sure on Grace Jenkins’ visit I called it speed dating. It was such a quick turnaround.

“I will say, usually when they’re leaving something, they’re looking for a very specific fit. So when they find it, it feels like an immediate yes on both sides.�

Player movement is rampant across major college sports. You lost several players to the portal. Is that just a sign of the times?

A: “I don’t think you can lump anything into one category. That’s the tricky part ... to say it was all for one reason. There are many different reasons for departures. One is playing time, moving on to better opportunities. Wanting a starting position is a huge thing. And then, if it’s not the right fit, you wish them the best and you go and hunt for the new player on your team that’s going to fill that spot.�

Your two highest-profile departures were outfielders Dakota Kennedy and Kaiah Altmeyer. Both would have been fourth-year Wildcats this season. What did you make of their decisions to leave?

A: “I think that’s a question for them, quite honestly. ... Was that a hard thing to get through? Yes, absolutely. They (were) in our practice every day, outfield every day. That’s a tough decision to kind of wear. Then you take the next two weeks and what that looks like — trying to recruit that position and get after some players.

“Then a Grace Jenkins walks into your office. Addison (Duke), Sereniti (Trice) and Tele (Jennings) came (on) the same visit with Jenae Berry, and it was just like, ‘OK, we’re doing something right and we’re filling in the right way.’

“We went through a tough spot, and at the same time that was a breath of fresh air for us, the new (players).�

You needed to replenish your pitching staff. What’s the scouting report on Jalen Adams and Jenae Berry?

A: “Absolute workers (who) just want to get better. They’re so coachable in all of the ways.

“Collectively in the bullpen ... they vibe really well off of each other, which has taken their level up a notch. I think we really did a good job in the pitching portal category. And I think Christian (Conrad, Arizona’s pitching coach) is doing a really good job of establishing culture and an identity within the bullpen. We made an effort, too, to include the catchers in that and make sure that’s a battery type of dynamic.

“We’re smack-dab in the middle of our grind. This is where we absolutely take off — or we stay the same. Right now it’s just like, ‘How are we showing up every single day to get better?’�

Another new pitcher, Rylie Holder, is a true freshman. Do you see her being a major contributor this season?

A: “Absolutely. She’s got some of the dirtiest stuff on the team for sure. Right now she’s going through probably the toughest program she’s ever gone through as far as conditioning and practice and what that requires. I think it’s only going to make her stronger. But stuff-wise, mentality-wise, she has all of the tools to jump right in.�

You’ve had more pitchers in recent seasons and took a matchup/committee approach. Will things be different this season? Is that by choice, necessity or a combination of the two?

A: “We had certain roles. Could we get everybody the time they needed? Probably not. We were also in a situation where we had three redshirts, and (it) ended up that way as far as the numbers go.

“(Now) it’s like, are we filling all the roles that we need to as far as what the pitches look like? How can we combo them together? Are we getting enough off-speed? Are we getting enough velo, up, down, whatever it might be, to beat people?

“The cool thing is that most of them are used to weathering a load of innings. They’re used to being the dog in their scenarios. Jalen throwing (nearly) 200 (innings last year at Iowa) ... that’s a unicorn. You don’t get 200 innings a lot these days. You used to, but pitchers aren’t really trained for that anymore. So that’s nice. Rylie is used to being the starter on her travel-ball team.

“I still think you’re going to see pairings. It’s just ... you’re not probably going to see three or four in one game.�

You mentioned Grace Jenkins. She was the Big East Player of the Year at UConn. What are your plans for her?

A: “She’s working a lot in the outfield right now. She’s working at first base. She’s also working behind the plate.

“I’m trying to get as much outfield work with Grace right now, just to make her the most comfortable. She’s comfortable behind the plate, pretty comfortable at first base. And then it’s just how the offense fits together. Because we have so many different options. We had a lot of people come back from the summer just ready to go. It’s gonna be a lot of hard choices.�

Emma Kavanagh also is getting time as a corner outfielder. It seems like you want to get her bat in the lineup.

A: “She had a great summer. She went and played two months straight in Madison (Wisconsin, in the Northwoods League), and she did really well. The funny thing was, she was playing shortstop, third base. She was in the outfield some. She was catching a little bit. So it was honestly perfect for her.�

There’s so much curiosity about newcomers. Who among the returners has made a big leap?

A: “Tayler Biehl, I think, is going to have a killer year. She’s someone that has become more and more comfortable in a leadership role this year.

“She’s always been a lockdown defender. I think she’s freed herself up to be a great offensive player this year. So I’m excited to watch her. ...

“Jenna Sniffen was another one that came back, and offensively she’s like, ‘I’m gonna hit in the middle of this lineup, and that’s gonna be my job.’ She just had this mentality where she’s gonna go to work.�

Extra bases

– Trice has been training at second base, where she started all but one game as a freshman at Iowa State last season. Trice is a slap hitter but has the ability to hit the ball into gaps for extra bases.

– Freshman Kezia Lucas is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in the spring. Lowe said Lucas is “at the tail end of her recovery� and will be in the catcher mix when she returns.

– Lowe confirmed that she’s under contract through the 2027 season. Her original deal was set to expire next year.