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Coach Debbie Holle has her team evaluating options that will have effects beyond this summer.
By TERRY JONES
© St. Petersburg Times, published July 29, 2001
TAMPA -- Earning national recognition has been a tradition for nearly five years for the Tampa Mustangs, coached by Debbie Holle.
This summer, the Mustang 18's Red team has played well as usual, but its primary objective goes beyond winning games.
"Our girls have dedicated this season to being winners in the preparation of life," Holle said. "As coach, my goal this year is to make sure every player earns a scholarship.
"Instead of playing tournaments to earn berths in national playoffs, we selected tournaments providing the most exposure to college scouts."
Two years ago, Holle encouraged her players to begin researching colleges and select ones they would be willing to play for and get the education they want.
Nine players will graduate next spring with educational and athletic goals.
"As a team, the girls have a 3.4 grade point average," Holle said. "I don't think they believed me a couple of summers ago when I told them selecting a college to study and play ball at for four years would be the biggest decision of their young lives.
"Now graduation is less than a year away for nine of them, and they are glad they did the research."
In the past five years, the team has won a trophy case full of tournaments, including a couple of national titles.
It has done it with a balanced attack of consistent hitting, strong pitching and tight defense.
Jessica Hayden, Ashley Hubbell and Dana Vantrease make up the pitching rotation.
Holle identifies each of her pitchers by their style. "Jessica is a junk pitcher with the capability of keeping batters off-stride, and Ashley is the finesse pitcher who often surprises batters with her precision," Holle said.
"Dana is a power pitcher, and she loves to compete."
Covering the infield with consistent defense are Mirelis Torres at first, a long-ball hitter, Christine Beck at second, another consistent hitter, and Jenna Wansa at shortstop.
Holle says Wansa has an uncanny ability to see and anticipate the direction of a hit ball. Krista Holle, the coach's daughter, holds down third and fills in at catcher when needed. She has made two trips to the final four (as a freshman and a junior) while starting for Chamberlain.
Katie Kilfoile is the field general behind the plate.
As the starting catcher, she has learned to work well with all of the pitchers.
Tiffany Stewart plays leftfield and Adrienne Cicirello center. Adrienne Clark and Hubbell share rightfield duties.
"All of the outfielders can fly," Holle said. "Not only are they fast, but they are consistent in all play. Everyone on the team has done their homework and has the talent to achieve all of their goals.
"My girls are ready for life. After all, the games are a passing thing to be forgotten. But an education is the gift of a lifetime."