Ave Maria University

Ave Maria University Athletics
5050 Ave Maria Blvd. Ave Maria, FL 34142

NAIA Florida Southeast

Private Small Competitive team

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Coaches

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Juliaclare Plezbert

Juliaclare Plezbert is in her second season as the head coach of the Ave Maria softball program.

Plezbert was hired in June of 2022, and brought nearly a decade of softball experience to Southwest Florida, as both a player and a coach.

Plezbert came to the University following four years as the head coach at Goshen College in Indiana, a member of the Crossroads League. Plezbert's teams won double digit conference games in each of her three full seasons—excluding the Covid-shortened 2020 season—and set numerous school records during her tenure.

Her first head coaching job came at Ancilla College in Indiana, where she was tasked with re-starting the program in 2018. She began her coaching career as an assistant at Oklahoma Wesleyan University, where she served from 2015 to 2018. Oklahoma Wesleyan made two national tournament appearances during her tenure. In 2018, the Oklahoma Wesleyan coaches were named Staff of the Year by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

As a player, Plezbert suited up at another NAIA school, Indiana Tech, from 2012 to 2015. She was a three-time Academic All-Conference selection in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference, and was a nominee for the A.O. Duer award, which recognizes outstanding junior student-athletes in the NAIA.

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Rianna Koteles

Rianna Koteles is in her second season on the Ave Maria University coaching staff.

Koteles joined the Gyrenes after an accomplished playing career at Goshen College in Indiana, where she played for head coach Juliaclare Plezbert.

During her five seasons at Goshen, which included the COVID-shortened season of 2020, Koteles belted 35 home runs and posted a career batting average north of .350. During her senior season, she led the Crossroads League with a .542 batting average, and set the Goshen single-season record with 13 home runs. She was named a first team All-Region selection by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, and was named to the Crossroads League Softball All-Tournament Team.

The Wixom, Michigan native was a two-time first team All-Conference selection in the Crossroads League. She also excelled in the classroom, earning Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete and Academic All-Crossroads League honors during her career.