By: Madie Brink
January 25, 2023
BURNSVILLE – The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference released their annual Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll today with Cougar Softball ranked 8th following a third place finish in the NSIC tournament last season.
Sophomore Reese Holzhueter and fifth year Kait Van Der Zwaag were also named this season's player and pitcher to watch.
"Every year we get the opportunity to grow, change, love and compete with our family – and as is the same with every year, I couldn't be more excited to see what this group of young ladies can accomplish," stated head coach Shannon Pivovar. "We have spent a lot of time working on being the best versions of ourselves that we can be: on being better teammates while excelling as a human, student, and athlete! This group cares for each other, has a common goal, and works their tails off when given the opportunities."
Sioux Falls is coming off a 27-25 season with a conference record of 11-14. The Cougars ended their season following a third place finish in the 2022 NSIC Tournament with wins against Concordia – St. Paul, St. Cloud State and Minnesota State all of which are currently ranked above USF in this year's coaches' poll.
USF forced 258 runs on their opponents last season averaging 4.96 runs a game. As a team, the Cougars maintained a team batting average of .300 while tallying 67 double, four triples and 33 homeruns. Sioux Falls also picked up 53 stolen bases on 58 attempts last season.
Reese Holzhueter, a sophomore catcher from Shakopee, Minnesota, earned this year's player to watch honors following an outstanding freshman campaign. Holzhueter saw 146 at bats while maintaining a .349 batting average and bringing in 24 RBIs. She led the Cougars in doubles with 14 on the year while crossing the plate 27 times. From behind the dish, Holzhueter maintained a .985 fielding percentage while forcing 128 outs for the Cougars.
"Reese is a true student of the game and has continued to work hard as a teammate to be the best she can be," said Coach Pivovar. "Reese consistently challenges and improves the standard of our program, building up those around her to be better in the classroom and on the field. She is a phenomenal athlete behind the dish helping our whole staff work together so we can be the best we can be."
Kait Van Der Zwaag, a fifth year pitcher from Hull, Iowa, picked up this seasons pitcher to watch honors following a first team all-conference season. Van Der Zwaag went 8-5 on the mound last season while making 18 appearances for the Cougars. She averaged a 3.40 ERA while forcing 59 strikeouts in 94.2 innings pitched. Van Der Zwaag found tremendous success from the offensive side of the ball as well as she led the Cougars in homeruns with 14 on the year. She found herself at the plate 116 times while producing 48 RBIs for USF.
"Kait is the type of leader that every program strives to have in their family," stated Coach Pivovar. "She leads by example and works hard in the weight room, classroom, and on the field, constantly pushing herself to the limits while bringing her teammates with her. Kait believes in the direction our family is going and carries it out in her daily life. She is going to be an absolute life changer for everyone she meets and we are lucky she is ours!"
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