DAYTON, Ohio - University of Dayton Softball Head Coach Cara LaPlaca announced the hiring of former Southeast Missouri State University assistant Sarah Willis. 

"I am excited to join the Flyer softball program," said Willis.  "I look forward to the mentorship of Coach LaPlaca and helping her to achieve prominence within the Atlantic 10 Conference and post-season play."

At Southeast Missouri State University, she was an assistant for two seasons, 2012-2014, where her main duties included skill instruction and player physical, mental, emotional development of pitchers/catchers/hitters on a day-to-day basis.  

Willis was also the recruiting coordinator for the Redhawks which included communication with prospective recruits and coaches regarding prospects, as well as arranging and hosting official and unofficial visits.

"I am thrilled to welcome Sarah Willis to the Flyer softball family," commented LaPlaca.   "Sarah possesses a unique combination of pitching expertise and competitive excellence that will help continue to elevate our program.  

"She has demonstrated a strong commitment to the ideals of the University of Dayton and I am certain she will be relentless in pursuit of the goals our team has set."

Prior to her stint at Southeast Missouri State University, Willis was an assistant coach at Princeton University from 2010-2012.  At Princeton she coached the pitchers, catchers, outfielders and was also the recruiting coordinator.  Willis also monitored players' academic progress, organized camps/clinics and other softball events and fundraising programs. 

In 2012, Willis spent the summer with the North Carolina Diamonds of the NPF where she coached along with Teresa Wilson, one of the top pitching instructors in the nation.  Willis assisted in skill instruction and management of pitchers, catchers, outfielders and offense along with helping develop individualized training programs for the athletes.

Willis began her collegiate coaching career as a student assistant coach at Texas Tech following her playing career as a Red Raider.   

Prior to her coaching career, she pitched at Texas Tech from 2005-2008, where she finished her career with 22 wins and 298 strikeouts in 113 appearances.

She was named to the Texas Tech dean's and president's honor lists and was named a Big 12 All-American First Team in 2007.  In 2007, Willis had the highest GPA of any female athlete at the school (Texas Tech).

Willis graduated with her bachelor's degree in psychology at Texas Tech in 2008 and went on to earn her master's degree in exercise and sport sciences from Texas Tech in 2010.