Jan. 12, 2009

Interview with Coach Holas

HOUSTON--The University of Houston softball pitchers and catchers reported to practice today to prepare for their Cathedral City Kickoff Tournament in Cathedral City, Calif. Feb. 6-8.

"The first day looked good," head coach Kyla Holas said. "It is always difficult and they are always nervous. The team dreads first day of practice because of the holidays there is minimal practice, rather than working hard everyday with the team. We were excited to get everyone out there and get going again. We would rather be playing softball everyday than not, so it was a good day."

Pitchers Baillie Lott, Lindsey Olson, Amanda Crabtree and Kaela DeBroeck met at Cougar Softball Stadium to prepare for the 2009 season.

Returning this season is sophomore Lott, who Holas was impressed with after the first day of practice.

"Baillie came back in really great shape. She didn't lose anything during the off time. I would say right now she is the front-runner, conditioning wise and strength wise to set her up, " Holas said.

Sophomore Crabtree will also rotate with Lott in the pitching circle. Crabtree is a transfer from Oklahoma State.

"Crabtree is new and I think she struggled a little bit, but once she goes through a preseason work out, she will know what is expected and what her level is going to have to be," Holas said.

Junior Olson, a transfer from Galveston College, is getting back into the swing of things after an injury.

"Lindsey spent all of the fall out because of her surgery," Holas said. "So it was really nice having her out there today. It was nice to see what she could do, and to put her through workouts because she has been separated from the team."

Freshman DeBroeck will spend most of the 2009 season learning the program and working on her fundamentals.

"Kaela is trying to figure it out and find her niche," Holas said. "She is trying to balance her shape and conditioning with what is expected of her."

This season, Angel Shamblin, the 2008 Conference USA Pitcher of the Year and All-America member, will be helping the team out as a student assistant. Holas looks forward to having Shamblin work with the pitching staff.

"It is really nice to have Angel out there helping," Holas said. "It is an extra body, voice and set of eyes. They know she has some weight and has been through this program and knows what is expected. She has a lot of pull and power with that. She has a great presence out there with them."