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ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University athletic director Bob Olson has announced that Kristi Villar has accepted the Wolves’ head softball coaching position.  A former standout shortstop at Augustana College, Villar comes to the Wolves after two seasons on staff at Southwest Minnesota State University.  The NSU position marks her first head coaching experience.

Villar takes the helm after former coach Terri Holmes resigned the post to assume full-time duties as NSU’s compliance coordinator.  That move was facilitated by a grant from the NCAA, allowing the department to move the compliance position to full-time.  Holmes had previously served as both the head coach and compliance coordinator.

“Coach Villar brings a new energy to the softball program,” said Olson.  “She has great passion for the game, and we’re excited about the future of the program and the direction she’s going to take it.”

A native of Oakdale, Minn., Villar enjoyed a stellar 4-year career at Augustana, earning all North Central Conference honors during all four seasons and leading the team in batting average each of her last two seasons.  She was also named as the NCC Freshman of the Year in 2003 and earned a pair of all-region accolades during her career.  The Vikings claimed the NCC conference champion during her senior campaign and advanced to the NCAA tournament that season as well.

Following her playing career, Villar joined the SMSU staff as a graduate assistant for the 2008 and 2009 seasons.  The Mustangs claimed the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference regular season title both seasons and compiled a record of 71-35 (38-6 NSIC) during her tenure.  SMSU also advanced to the NCAA tournament both seasons.

Villar spent the 2009-10 academic year teaching and coaching at Lennox High School, where she was an assistant for both the girls basketball and softball squads.

“I am excited to join the athletic department at Northern State and the community of Aberdeen,” said Villar.  “Northern State is a great university and has so much to offer both academically and athletically. I would like to thank Bob Olson for the opportunity to continue to build a competitive softball program that Northern State University and the community of Aberdeen can be proud of.”