The University of Evansville softball team adds Ashley Monceaux and Jenna Roberts as two assistant coaches for the upcoming season, announced head coach Mark Redburn Wednesday.
Monceaux, a current professional softball player, has served in the coaching role since her 2007 graduation from Baylor University. She coached the 18 Gold Texas Misfits from 2006-2008 and was coordinator/coach for the Mustangs Softball Organization in Kansas from 2008-2009.
“I feel very fortunate to have a coach on staff that has such an in-depth playing and career background that Ashley has,” Redburn said. “She has had success at every level that she has participated in. Ashley has played in great programs and learned the game from great coaches. I’m excited to have her experience and knowledge of softball to apply to the UE program and the players.”
The Tucson, Arizona, native had a stellar collegiate career at Baylor and Pima Community College. While at Baylor, Monceaux played in the 2007 World Series where she was named to the all-tournament team. An All-American selection in 2006 and 2007, Monceaux was a first-team All-Big 12 Conference honoree and named Player of the Week for the conference for three consecutive weeks. Overall at Baylor, Monceaux ranks fourth in slugging percentage and on base percentage while placing fifth in batting average and home runs per game.
At Pima Community College, Monceaux was a two-time NJCAA Division I All-America selection. She led the team to the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference title and a NJCAA national championship. Monceaux was also named NJCAA Player of the Year.
Monceaux is also active in the community. She gave her time to the Methodist Children’s Home from 2007-2008 and is actively involved in her church community. In the future, Monceaux wants to be involved in organizations that help beaten or neglected children and orphans.
Roberts joins the Purple Aces after completing a successful collegiate career at Northern Illinois University where she received her bachelor’s in psychology and sociology. Originally from Verona, Wisconsin, Roberts played on the softball team all four years at NIU and has worked as a counselor at various softball camps and clinics in Illinois and Wisconsin since 2003.
“When I first met Jenna, I could sense her excitement and passion to want to get into the coaching profession,” Redburn said. “She played under a great staff, and I’m impressed with her knowledge as a player. Her great work ethic with her desire for success and to lead will give her a great opportunity to apply her experiences here at UE. All of her positive traits will only bring good things to this program.”
At NIU, the centerfielder holds the record for stolen bases and was named team captain from 2008-2009. Roberts earned Scholar-Athlete of the Week during her senior year and served on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Roberts also served as an intern in the strength and conditioning field. Through her work, Roberts learned correct speed work and weight lifting techniques that can be implemented in UE softball.
Like Monceaux, Roberts also gives time to help her community. Since 2006, she regularly volunteers with the Special Olympics Basketball Program. Roberts also helped coordinate and implement a program for Hope Have Women’s Shelter in 2008.
Redburn, Monceaux and Roberts will get their first taste of Aces softball when the team begins its fall schedule Saturday, September 26 at Cooper Stadium versus Olney Community College at noon.
