Kayla Wartner is taking a different perspective on her senior season.

Wartner returns as the Hawaii softball team’s most experienced catcher and is expected to spend much of the spring behind the plate. But she’s expanding her skill set in the fall, splitting practice time in the outfield as well.

"I see everyone’s backs instead of everyone’s faces," Wartner said of the view looking in toward the plate.

Wartner, one of three seniors on the UH roster, has started 130 games at catcher in her UH career and was looking for a way to contribute in the field when she’s not wearing the gear.

"I wanted to be more versatile," said Wartner, who made 24 starts as a designated player last season. "It’s interesting. I played a little bit in high school but it was when we were crushing teams. It’s a learning process but it’s fun."

Wartner will likely have a chance to play both spots in UH’s Kamaaina Tournament Friday and Saturday at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

The Wahine face BYU-Hawaii and Hawaii Hilo in a doubleheader on Friday and take on Chaminade on Saturday in the fall exhibition games.

Despite the loss of Sharla Kliebenstein, who also split time at catcher and in the outfield the past three years, the Wahine should have depth behind the plate this season.

Along with Wartner’s return, sophomore Lindsey Willmon, who started 48 games in the outfield last spring, wanted to work at catcher as well this season. Freshman Rachel Lack, a member of the Australian national team, is also a catcher/outfielder.

Although Wartner is giving the outfield a try this fall, catching remains closest to her heart.

"I’ll play anywhere. I do love catching though," she said. "It’s always going to be my home."

While Wartner is a seasoned receiver behind the plate, she was a bit shaky throwing the ball at times last season. UH coach Bob Coolen kept her bat in the lineup in the designated player spot and she hit .258 with seven home runs and drove in 17 runs.

She worked on her throwing in long toss sessions over the summer while refreshing her outlook on the game.

"I just had to learn to have fun again," Wartner said. "I was too worried about trying to be perfect and in this game obviously you’re never going to be perfect. My mentality just needed to change. It’s still a process but I think it’s a lot better than what it was last year."

Collectively, the Wahine are looking to bounce back from a 22-28 spring with their fortunes depending heavily on a new-look pitching staff after posting a 4.78 earned-run average last season.

Georgia Tech transfer Kanani Aina Cabrales is slated to start Friday’s opener against BYU-Hawaii. Freshman Brittany Hitchcock, who sat out last season due to a back injury, will start against UH-Hilo. Sophomore Heather Morales will get the ball against Chaminade on Saturday.

"Brittany surprises me, because coming off a back surgery you don’t expect to have her ball to be as heavy and move as much as it does," Wartner said. "And she’s so composed on the mound. You would never know she’s a freshman and she’s never pitched a college game.

"Nani, her demeanor is exactly the same. Honestly, I’m afraid of her when I’m hitting. She gets this look on her face and it’s kind of intimidating.

"(Morales is) more focused. This year she knows what to expect and she knows what we expect of her. I think this year will be different for her."