Head Coach Holly Aprile Named ACC Softball Coach of the Year

Earlier today, Pittsburgh Panthers (31-17-1, 16-6-0) head coach Holly Aprile was named the ACC Softball Coach of the Year. Given everything her team has accomplished in her 10th season at the helm, it shouldn’t be a surprise.

Pitt set several program highs since joining the conference in 2014. They captured their first Coastal Division Championship; a pretty impressive feat considering the Panthers were picked to finish ninth in the ACC Preseason Coaches’ Poll. The 16 conference wins and seven series wins were also program highs. Perhaps the icing on the cake as far as team accomplishments go is the No. 2 seed they earned in the ACC Tournament that starts tomorrow.

Aprile led Pitt to their lone NCAA Tournament appearance back in 2015, and this team has all the makings to not only make the tournament, but to also make a little bit of noise while they’re at it.

Along with Aprile, four players received individual accolades. Senior catcher Giorgiana Zeremenko and junior infielder Olivia Gray earned All-ACC First Team honors, while senior pitcher Kayla Harris nabbed All-ACC Second Team honors, and freshman outfielder Hunter Levesque was named to the ACC All-Freshmen Team. It was the first time that Aprile, or any of the aforementioned players, achieved their respective honors.