MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—Kelley Montalvo joins the Barry University softball coaching staff this fall, director of athletics Michael L. Covone announced today.
"First and foremost I would like to thank Mr. Covone, Dr. (Bridget) Lyons, Dr. (John) Murray and everyone at Barry University who gave me this opportunity," Montalvo said. "I am beyond grateful to be given the chance to live my passion and to have the privilege to give back to the game of softball especially in my hometown."
Montalvo, who has spent the past eight seasons with the Akron Racers of the National Pro Fastpitch League, was an All-American player for coach Pat Murphy at the University of Alabama. A first-team All-America selection in 2008 and 2009 on both the Louisville Slugger/NFCA and Easton teams, Montalvo led the Crimson Tide to a 221-40 mark in four years. She scored 174 runs and drove in 154. She batted .333, with 96 of her 204 hits going for extra bases.
An eight-year veteran in the NPF, she signed with the Racers as a free agent and had her contract extended three times, making her the longest tenured Racer. An All-NPF selection in 2014, 2105 and 2016, she compiled 120 runs, 89 RBI and 17 home runs in her career. She was the NPF Defensive Player of the Year in 2012, finishing the season with 43 putouts, 93 assists and just three errors for a .978 fielding percentage.
Montalvo also spent three season with the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders, coaching the outfielders and hitters. She took over a squad that hit .272 the previous year and raised the average to .297 by her final year.
"I am extremely excited to be a part of the Barry family," Montalvo added. "I strongly believe in the code of ethics and morals that they represent and the way that they have established such a family-based culture. Also being a Miami native, it is heartwarming to finally be able to come back to my hometown and family and represent such a well-rounded university. Barry has always been very competitive in athletics but what over shines that is how they excel in preparing these student-athletes for their futures beyond the field."
Montalvo played at Monsignor Pace High, earning Class 3A-1A Hitter of the Year from the Miami Herald in 2005 and All-State honors as a junior and senior.
