There were signs late in the 2010 season that Timpview's program was turning a corner, that the work coach Kristen Bailey put into creating a club program was beginning to pay off.

But no one could have imagined how rapid a turnaround and how dramatic an ascension the Thunderbirds were about to take.

Timpview, which had missed the playoffs for 13 consecutive seasons and managed just one region win in each of Bailey's first three years at the school, upset Salem Hills in a dramatic come-from-behind victory to win the Class 4A state title.

"I knew it was doable, for sure," said Bailey, The Tribune's Coach of the Year. "I knew it would be a long road and that it would be a lot of work. That's always your end goal, you have to practice that way, and you have to demand the most from your kids.

"That's what I did, not knowing that would be the end result, but just hoping."

Seniors Katie Jamison and Rachel Stone both said Club Victory — the offseason program Bailey began two years ago — was a big reason for the Thunderbirds' turnaround.

"I think it helped a lot," Jamison said. "Most of us on the varsity team played together two years ago when Club Victory started, and we got used to playing with each other. And with her coaching us, we were getting used to her mindset. We could totally tell the difference."

But another major factor was the team's training program. Bailey instituted early morning practices twice a week and beefed up conditioning drills over the summer.

"Everybody sees her as being intimidating, but she's very passionate about the game," Stone said. "And passionate about her team and the girls, and making them better." All-State softball MVPs and teams (pdf) » http://bit.ly/rQ44Fz