Photo by: Jeff Reinking | Louisville Athletics
Contract Extension for Holly Aprile Approved by ULAA Board of Directors
October 22, 2021 | Softball
The University of Louisville Athletic Association Board of Directors approved a contract extension for softball head coach Holly Aprile through the 2026 season.
"I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue to lead the softball program at the University of Louisville," said Aprile. "Our goals are to compete for both an ACC and NCAA Championship. With the amazing support of Vince Tyra, Amy Calabrese, Rachael Cosgrove, as well as the ULAA Board, we will continue our work to achieve those goals. Louisville is rich in winning traditions. My staff and I are honored to be part of this community and proudly wear the Louisville red and black."
Aprile is entering her fourth season as UofL's head coach. During her time at Louisville, which includes the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, the Cardinals have amassed 66 wins and reached the 2019 NCAA regional finals while setting multiple school records along the way.
"Holly has made a quick impact on our softball program," said Director of Athletics Vince Tyra. "Her recent recruiting shows great promise for the future. Continuity goes a long way toward developing championship programs and this contract extensions will help solidify that continuity."
Under Aprile's tutelage, the Cardinals have produced three National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Southeast Region selections with Megan Hensley earning first team honors in 2019, becoming the first player in program history to do so since the Cardinals moved into the region. After the 2020 season was cut short due to the spread of COVID-19, UofL added two more all-region honorees in 2021 with Carmyn Greenwood named to the first team and Taylor Roby selected to the second team. Both players also earned all-ACC accolades.
In 2021, the Cardinals amassed 21 wins, in the midst of a challenging slate. Among the season highlights were three wins and one tie against top-25 teams including a win and a tie against eventual Women's College World Series runner-up Florida State.
In her first year at the helm, the Cardinals earned an at-large bid to the 2019 NCAA tournament and a regional final appearance. The team amassed a 35-23 overall record and a 12-12 mark in ACC play for a third-place finish in the league's Atlantic Division and fifth in the overall conference standings. Louisville's 35 wins marked the most victories in a season since 2016 when the Cards posted a 35-17 record.
Among the Cardinals' 2019 highlights were six wins over teams ranked in the top 25 including a pair of contests against then-No. 3/3 Florida State. With the series win, Louisville became the first ACC team to claim a series against the Seminoles since 2012.
Leading the way
Over the last three seasons, the Cardinals have set several school single season marks and ranked among the ACC and NCAA leaders in numerous categories.
• The 2019 squad established a new stolen base record with 106, obliterating the previous mark of 68.
• Additionally, 2019 All-ACC selection Sidney Melton set a school stolen base record with 35 on the season.
• Louisville also led the nation in triples per game with 31 in 58 contests.
• Celene Funke ranked first in the NCAA with 13 triples in 2019 – also a program record for a player in a single season.
• In the 2021 campaign, Carmyn Greenwood led the ACC and ranked 15th in the NCAA in hits.
In the classroom
Aprile's Louisville teams have also been impressive in the classroom, placing seven players on the All-ACC Academic Teams in the two seasons in which the award was given.
• Most recently, UofL posted a 3.381 team GPA during the 2020-21 academic year with 14 players named NFCA Scholar Athletes.
• In total, 19 student-athletes earned a GPA of 3.0 or better with seniors Celene Funke and Carmyn Greenwood garnering All-ACC Academic Team honors in 2021.
• With the season halted in 2020, Louisville softball continued to excel in the classroom with a 3.557 team GPA in the spring. Funke went on to earn her fourth consecutive CoSIDA Academic All-America nod.
• The 2019 squad also turned in impressive results in the classroom as the team produced a combined 3.157 grade point average for the academic year and garnered NFCA Academic Team honors with five All-America Scholar Athletes.
• In addition, Louisville placed five on the 2019 All-ACC Academic Team, tied for the most among league schools. Funke was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America team for the second straight year. Funke and Melton were also CoSIDA Academic All-District selections.
Holly Aprile File
Coaching Highlights
Louisville (Head Coach) | 2019 –present
• Guided Louisville to the 2019 Evanston Regional Final
• The Cardinals led the nation in triples per game as a team; Celene Funke led the nation in triples
• 3 All-ACC honorees
• 3 NFCA All-Southeast Region Selections
• 19 NFCA All-Southeast Region Selections
Pittsburgh (Head Coach) | 2009-2018; (271-234/.537)
(Assistant Coach) | 2004-08
• 2018 ACC Coach of the Year
• Guided the Panthers to their first ACC Coastal Division title (2018)
• ACC Championship runner-up (2018, 2015)
• Pittsburgh achieved its first national ranking (2017)
• Guided Pitt to its first NCAA tournament appearance and regional final (2015)
• NFCA Mid-Atlantic Region Coaching Staff of the Year (2015)
• 12 All-Region selections
• 13 All-ACC honorees
• 8 ACC All-Tournament Team members
• 19 NFCA Scholar-Athletes
• 10 ACC All-Academic selections
South Carolina (Assistant Coach) | 1995-2004
• Helped lead the Gamecocks to five Southeastern Conference Championships
• Assisted with five NCAA Regional appearances, reaching the Women's College World Series in 1997
Eastern Illinois University (Graduate Assistant) | 1993-1995
• Team compiled 54 wins and a runner-up finish in the Mid-Continent Conference Tournament (1994)
Playing Career
UMass (1989-92)
• Inducted into UMass Athletic Hall of Fame (1995)
• Third Team All-American (1992)
• NCAA College World Series All-Tournament Team (1992)
• Atlantic 10 Conference Pitcher of the Year (1992)
• Division I leader in doubles (1991)
• Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Year (1990)
• Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year (1989)
• Four-time All-Atlantic 10 selection
USA Softball | 1993-1999
• Helped Team USA to gold medals in the South Pacific Classic (1998) and Pan-Am Qualifiers in Colombia (1997) and Guatemala (1994)
"I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue to lead the softball program at the University of Louisville," said Aprile. "Our goals are to compete for both an ACC and NCAA Championship. With the amazing support of Vince Tyra, Amy Calabrese, Rachael Cosgrove, as well as the ULAA Board, we will continue our work to achieve those goals. Louisville is rich in winning traditions. My staff and I are honored to be part of this community and proudly wear the Louisville red and black."
Aprile is entering her fourth season as UofL's head coach. During her time at Louisville, which includes the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, the Cardinals have amassed 66 wins and reached the 2019 NCAA regional finals while setting multiple school records along the way.
"Holly has made a quick impact on our softball program," said Director of Athletics Vince Tyra. "Her recent recruiting shows great promise for the future. Continuity goes a long way toward developing championship programs and this contract extensions will help solidify that continuity."
Under Aprile's tutelage, the Cardinals have produced three National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Southeast Region selections with Megan Hensley earning first team honors in 2019, becoming the first player in program history to do so since the Cardinals moved into the region. After the 2020 season was cut short due to the spread of COVID-19, UofL added two more all-region honorees in 2021 with Carmyn Greenwood named to the first team and Taylor Roby selected to the second team. Both players also earned all-ACC accolades.
In 2021, the Cardinals amassed 21 wins, in the midst of a challenging slate. Among the season highlights were three wins and one tie against top-25 teams including a win and a tie against eventual Women's College World Series runner-up Florida State.
In her first year at the helm, the Cardinals earned an at-large bid to the 2019 NCAA tournament and a regional final appearance. The team amassed a 35-23 overall record and a 12-12 mark in ACC play for a third-place finish in the league's Atlantic Division and fifth in the overall conference standings. Louisville's 35 wins marked the most victories in a season since 2016 when the Cards posted a 35-17 record.
Among the Cardinals' 2019 highlights were six wins over teams ranked in the top 25 including a pair of contests against then-No. 3/3 Florida State. With the series win, Louisville became the first ACC team to claim a series against the Seminoles since 2012.
Leading the way
Over the last three seasons, the Cardinals have set several school single season marks and ranked among the ACC and NCAA leaders in numerous categories.
• The 2019 squad established a new stolen base record with 106, obliterating the previous mark of 68.
• Additionally, 2019 All-ACC selection Sidney Melton set a school stolen base record with 35 on the season.
• Louisville also led the nation in triples per game with 31 in 58 contests.
• Celene Funke ranked first in the NCAA with 13 triples in 2019 – also a program record for a player in a single season.
• In the 2021 campaign, Carmyn Greenwood led the ACC and ranked 15th in the NCAA in hits.
In the classroom
Aprile's Louisville teams have also been impressive in the classroom, placing seven players on the All-ACC Academic Teams in the two seasons in which the award was given.
• Most recently, UofL posted a 3.381 team GPA during the 2020-21 academic year with 14 players named NFCA Scholar Athletes.
• In total, 19 student-athletes earned a GPA of 3.0 or better with seniors Celene Funke and Carmyn Greenwood garnering All-ACC Academic Team honors in 2021.
• With the season halted in 2020, Louisville softball continued to excel in the classroom with a 3.557 team GPA in the spring. Funke went on to earn her fourth consecutive CoSIDA Academic All-America nod.
• The 2019 squad also turned in impressive results in the classroom as the team produced a combined 3.157 grade point average for the academic year and garnered NFCA Academic Team honors with five All-America Scholar Athletes.
• In addition, Louisville placed five on the 2019 All-ACC Academic Team, tied for the most among league schools. Funke was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America team for the second straight year. Funke and Melton were also CoSIDA Academic All-District selections.
Holly Aprile File
Coaching Highlights
Louisville (Head Coach) | 2019 –present
• Guided Louisville to the 2019 Evanston Regional Final
• The Cardinals led the nation in triples per game as a team; Celene Funke led the nation in triples
• 3 All-ACC honorees
• 3 NFCA All-Southeast Region Selections
• 19 NFCA All-Southeast Region Selections
Pittsburgh (Head Coach) | 2009-2018; (271-234/.537)
(Assistant Coach) | 2004-08
• 2018 ACC Coach of the Year
• Guided the Panthers to their first ACC Coastal Division title (2018)
• ACC Championship runner-up (2018, 2015)
• Pittsburgh achieved its first national ranking (2017)
• Guided Pitt to its first NCAA tournament appearance and regional final (2015)
• NFCA Mid-Atlantic Region Coaching Staff of the Year (2015)
• 12 All-Region selections
• 13 All-ACC honorees
• 8 ACC All-Tournament Team members
• 19 NFCA Scholar-Athletes
• 10 ACC All-Academic selections
South Carolina (Assistant Coach) | 1995-2004
• Helped lead the Gamecocks to five Southeastern Conference Championships
• Assisted with five NCAA Regional appearances, reaching the Women's College World Series in 1997
Eastern Illinois University (Graduate Assistant) | 1993-1995
• Team compiled 54 wins and a runner-up finish in the Mid-Continent Conference Tournament (1994)
Playing Career
UMass (1989-92)
• Inducted into UMass Athletic Hall of Fame (1995)
• Third Team All-American (1992)
• NCAA College World Series All-Tournament Team (1992)
• Atlantic 10 Conference Pitcher of the Year (1992)
• Division I leader in doubles (1991)
• Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Year (1990)
• Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year (1989)
• Four-time All-Atlantic 10 selection
USA Softball | 1993-1999
• Helped Team USA to gold medals in the South Pacific Classic (1998) and Pan-Am Qualifiers in Colombia (1997) and Guatemala (1994)
