YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – Young Harris College Director of Athletics Randy Dunn announced Kayla Lucas as the next softball coach for the Mountain Lions.

"I am extremely happy that Coach Lucas will be leading our softball program," said Dunn.  "She possesses an excellent knowledge of the game and is very passionate about serving as a role model for the student-athlete and building a program that will be a contender in the conference, region and nation."

The 2014 National Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association Division II National Assistant Coach of the Year comes to the Enchanted Valley after spending the past four seasons as an assistant coach at Peach Belt Conference-foe Georgia College.
    
During her stay in Milledgeville, the Bobcats posted a 143-68 mark and were ranked as high as No. 6 in the NFCA national rankings. Lucas helped the Bobcats qualify for the NCAA Division II national tournament the past three seasons, including the 2015 NCAA Southeast Regional No. 2 title and a berth in the institution's first NCAA Super Regional.

As well as doing position work and working with hitters, Lucas served as the team's speed and agility coach. In just four years, the Bobcats racked up 442 stolen bases and led the Peach Belt in stolen bases three times.

"I am very excited and ready to join the Young Harris family," said Lucas. "I want to thank President Cathy Cox and Director of Athletics Randy Dunn for allowing me this opportunity to lead these student-athletes here at Young Harris College. I am extremely excited about becoming a Mountain Lion and building this softball program into a Peach Belt Conference and Southeast region championship contender. 

"Lastly, I want to thank (Georgia College's) Jamie Grodecki and Brittany Bennett for developing me and allowing me to grow into the coach I am today. Without you both none of this would be possible and I am forever grateful for you both."

Lucas played college softball all four years, while receiving NAIA, NCCAA, and NFCA All-American honors in 2010 and 2011. She led Central Baptist College to the NCCAA National Championship in 2010 and was named to the all-region and all-tournament teams in 2010 and 2011 as well.

The Marion, Arkansas, native received a bachelor's degree in business administration from Central Baptist after spending her first two years at Henderson State University. She earned her master's degree in exercise science from Georgia College.