Bears promote Stewart to full-time assistant role for softball

CONWAY, Ark. — Central Arkansas has elevated Holly Stewart to a full-time assistant coach for Bears’ softball after spending the last season as director of player development.

“Holly was instrumental in helping us improve as a team last year, and we’re really happy to keep her on staff,” coach Jenny Parsons said of the hire. “She’s an incredibly hard worker who can help this program take another step forward.”

Stewart helped develop a Bears team that brought back only three starters from the previous season. In addition to the continued development of ASUN Defensive Player of the Year Kylie Griffin, the Bears saw a bunch of young players step up and improve over the course of the season.

Freshman left fielder Renee Christian came in and hit .304 and earned a spot on the ASUN All-Freshman Team, growing as a player over the season and eventually taking over the lead-off spot.

The Conway native joins a staff that has reached three-straight ASUN Championship quarterfinals, including an ASUN crown in 2023. Stewart split her collegiate playing career between South Alabama and Jacksonville State, starting 44 games as a senior in 2023.

“I’m so excited for this opportunity to be back at UCA, working under this staff and coaching these players has been an incredible experience. Having recently been a student-athlete myself, I understand the profound impact a coach can have on their players,” Stewart added. “The dedication and passion this program has for this game has been something I’ve always wanted to be a part of.”

Information from UCA Sports is included in this story.