Iyhia McMichael Position: Assistant Coach Experience: 1st Season at Virginia

When Karen Johns was looking to fill the second assistant coaching slot on her staff, she wanted a young, energetic coach with both collegiate and professional playing experience. Johns found the perfect person in the hiring of Iyhia McMichael. McMichael joined UVa's staff in August of 2005 and will coach the Cavaliers' outfielders.

McMichael comes to UVa after serving as a graduate assistant coach at Stephen F. Austin during the 2005 season. She has spent the last two summers playing for the Akron Racers of the National Pro Fastpitch League.

McMichael is a two-time National Pro Fastpitch All-Star and helped lead the Akron Racers to the 2005 NPF Championship. She hit the game-winning home run in the eighth inning of the championship game to lift the Racers to a 5-4 come-from-behind victory over the Chicago Bandits for the NPF title. McMichael was also the MVP of the 2005 NPF All-Star Game, after she hit a two-run homer to lead the East team to a 2-1 victory over the West.

During the 2005 season, McMichael hit an impressive .400 (62-155) with 12 doubles, three triples and 11 home runs. She drove in 35 runs, scored 56 times and stole 13 bases. The outfielder posted a .684 slugging percentage and also had a .450 on-base percentage. In the 2004 NPF season, McMichael was named the league's Player of the Year and won the batting crown with a .349 average. The number one pick in the 2004 NPF Senior Draft, possessed a .443 on-base percentage and a .430 slugging percentage.

McMichael had an outstanding career at Mississippi State where she was an All-American outfielder. She graduated in 2004 with a degree in marketing.

The Nacogdoches, Texas, native was a first-team Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American in 2003 and 2004. McMichael also earned NFCA All-South Region honors three times, including first-team accolades in 2003 and 2004. She was named the Southeastern Conference Softball Athlete of the Year in both 2003 and 2004. In addition to capturing first-team All-SEC honors three times, she was also a second-team pick in 2001.

In the summer of 2003, McMichael was a member of USA Softball's Elite team. She helped lead the USA to the Canada Cup title with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 14th inning in the championship game against Australia.