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<center><table border=6><td><img src="http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/hou/sports/w-softbl/auto_headshot/p-Holas03.jpg"></td></table><blockquote><p align=justify>Now married, coaching at the University of Houston and known as Kyla Holas. Kyla was a three-time NCAA All-American at UL, where she set seven school records in pitching and compiled a career .301 batting average.
In 1993, Kyla Holas led the Cajuns to a third-place finish in the College World Series while receiving all-tournament accolades.
Kyla was a two-time finalist (1993-94) for the prestigious Honda Broderick Cup, a national award given to the top female student-athlete at the NCAA level.
In 1999 Kyla was inducted into the Louisiana's Sports-Club Hall of Fame.
<center><p><a href="http://uhcougars.ocsn.com/sports/w-softbl/mtt/holas_kyla00.html">Where is she now</a>
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<blockquote><p align=justify>Coach: Kyla Holas (fourth season, all at Houston).
·2003 record: 36-24, 15-9 in Conference USA (third).
When Kyla Holas was hired to build and coach the first University of Houston softball team four years ago, she had a vision of how successful the program might become. That vision could become reality this spring as the Cougars put their first graduating class on the diamond.
Six seniors have been with Holas since the program began with the 2001 season. That group consists of pitchers Jamie Falco (Tomball) and * Johnson (Huntsville, Ala.), catcher Arelis Ferreris (Arlington Bowie), infielder Melissa Lynch (Kingwood) and outfielders Lindsay Durham and Candis Turnbo (both Pearland).
Houston finished 36-24 last season and was 15-9 in Conference USA play, both program bests. The Cougars led C-USA with a conference-record 59 home runs and a .450 slugging percentage.
Two disappointing losses in the C-USA tournament, played at the Cougar softball field, denied UH its first postseason berth. It did serve as a building block.
"I feel like we are right on track," Holas said. "We have taken the bumps and lumps and grown in the necessary way. We felt we were one game away from regionals last year. It's definitely been on our minds ever since."
<center><p><a href="http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/2389943">The rest of the story</a><!--
Houston certainly has the ingredients necessary to top its predicted third-place finish by C-USA coaches. The Cougars have experience, pitching depth, an explosive offense and an improved defense.
"I have no doubt that we have the ability to go all the way," Falco said. "I know we will be in regionals. Last year was definitely a disappointment. It's something I carried personally through the summer. It's also something you have to let go."
Falco and her senior teammates went through the expected rough opening season, finishing 22-33. The next two years produced records of 35-25 and 36-24.
"The seniors will tell you their freshman year was the worst thing they have been through," Holas said. "They have grown as people. Our goal has always been that, when you leave here, you're a better person."
Durham and Falco agree, having stepped out of successful high school programs to a college start-up team.
Both look back on the past three years as a learning experience, one that has been equal parts tough and exciting.
"Being part of something new has been incredible," Durham said. "We laid the groundwork for years to come. The first two years weren't that easy. The last two have been very enjoyable."
When UH's 2004 season begins today in the University of Texas round-robin tournament, Holas will have a lot of lineup options. Two-time all-conference choice Ferreris will again be behind the plate. Sophomore Crystal Briscoe and freshman lefthander Carla Kennimer join Falco and Johnson on the pitching staff.
Heading up the infield are all-conference choices Kristen Glowacz and Jaci Gonzalez. The entire outfield, led by center fielder Kim Nesloney, returns.
"We've had everybody in their spot for a year," Holas said. "That experience will be our biggest step up. Defense is where we feel people will be a little surprised. We've always been strong offensively. We have a short park, so offense is very lively here."
Holas knows what a team needs to succeed. A graduate of South Houston, she pitched well enough in club softball to earn a scholarship to Southwestern Louisiana (now Louisiana-Lafayette). She set seven school records and was a three-time All-American.
Her desire to build a winning program attracted the current seniors to join a fledgling program.
"Her experience, determination and love for softball has definitely rubbed off on us," Falco said. "I've improved significantly every year because of the knowledge I've gained."
From the beginning, Holas has stressed more than athletic achievement. She wanted her players to grow with the program, and the seniors have carried that through.
"Everything that has happened has been what (the seniors) have made," Holas said. "It's an experience not everyone gets. They get to set the mold of what people are going to try to catch."
The seniors have not regretted their decision to become Cougars.
"Being here has been more than just about softball," Durham said. "It's been more about all the lessons in life that you learn along the way."
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