Sansbury named new softball coach at University of Mount Olive

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on June 30, 2014 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

MOUNT OLIVE -- Mandy Sansbury immediately connected with Jaime Kylis during their initial meeting about the University of Mount Olive softball program.

The two former collegiate catchers share similar philosophies.

And they have the same goals.

Now the target, however, is on Sansbury's back. She succeeds Kylis as head coach of the Trojans and look to continue to build a program that has reached the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional each of the past two seasons.

"This is a great school with great academics, a great history," Sansbury said. "Jaime has done such an amazing job building the program. There is such a great tradition. There's a lot of expectations coming in ... a lot of pressure and I'm excited about it.

"I'm ready to build on that."

Kylis resigned in mid-May. The Valdosta State (Ga.) University alum wanted to spend more time with her children and concentrate on completing her Master's degree. She remains on faculty at UMO.

During her 12-year tenure, Kylis produced nine teams that won 20 or more games in a season. The Trojans captured the Conference Carolinas regular-season title in 2007 and East Division crown in 2012.

Her most-significant achievements occurred in 2013 and 2014 when UMO advanced to the NCAA tournament. That success has helped the program gain respect on the regional and national scenes.

"It's a program fitting to my coaching style," said Sansbury, who prefers to put a power-hitting and speedy team on the field.

Sansbury spent the past three seasons as the head coach at Glenville State (W. Va.) University. The Pioneers set single-season records for winning percentage and home runs, and 12 players earned all-conference accolades.

Her 2012 and 2014 squads posted the highest grade-point averages among all athletic teams on campus.  

"We are excited to have Mandy as our new softball coach," UMO athletics director Jeff Eisen said. "She brings great experience playing and coaching at the DII level, and we look forward to her building on the team's past success."

Mount Olive graduated just five seniors off of last year's team that logged a 24-26 worksheet. The Trojans played a brutal non-conference schedule loaded with perennial Peach Belt and South Atlantic Conference powers with the premise that strong competition would prepare them for league play.

The team limped through its first four Conference Carolinas doubleheaders and stood 2-6 after consecutive losses to King (Tenn.) University on its home diamond. After a lively heart-to-heart meeting, the Trojans reeled off 10 straight wins and advanced to the NCAA playoffs.

Sansbury wants that late-season surge to serve as a springboard heading into fall ball. She has the task of meshing 13 new faces with a strong core of returning players, and thinks they are capable of taking the program to the next step.

"They have to take what Jaime has been using, add some new ideas, be open to a new coach and (my) ideas," a confident Sansbury said. "I think this is their opportunity to have new energy ... utilize that as well. You just have to have the girls to buy into what you're doing and show them you're there for their best interests.

"Everyone is there for the same goal ... to be successful."