MINOT, N.D. – Coming off a strong spring season that saw the Beavers rack up 28 wins, the Minot State softball team is reloading its coaching staff with stellar leadership.

The first addition on the Beaver bench is new assistant coach Chelsea "Holli" Holliday, who began her duties with the team earlier this month.

"It feels great to be a Beaver; I'm excited about joining our staff and look forward to bringing even more success to our program," Holliday said.

Holliday joins the Beaver staff after spending the last three years at Grambling University in Louisiana as a graduate assistant for the NCAA Division I Tigers where she earned her Masters in Sports Administration.

Prior to Grambling, she was the head coach for five seasons for the Saint Mary's School high school softball team in Raleigh, N.C.

"I plan to use my knowledge and passion for the game to push our girls to their full potential," Holliday added of joining Minot State's staff. "From playing D-II and overseas, and then coaching at the Division I level, I have extensive expertise working with our pitching and catching staffs; specializing in catching I plan to implement the experiences that I've gained to help 'Build the Dam' here at Beaver Nation."

As a collegiate player at Shaw University in North Carolina, Holliday earned All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) honors and was named to the All-Rookie Team as a freshman.

Following her sophomore season, she also earned the chance to compete internationally as a member of Team USA at the 2012 Curacao Friendship Series.

At Shaw, Coach "Holli" hit .266 for her career with 14 home runs, 64 RBIs, 78 runs scored, and 60 stolen bases. She also majored in Athletic Training.

Holliday graduated from Burlington Township High School in Burlington, New Jersey, where she was a two-time 1st Team All-Conference selection, class Treasurer, a student athletic trainer, and Vice President of the Women's Club.