VYPE interviewed the most recent addition to Seneca athletics softball coach Ally Stolte.

VYPE: What are your personal goals for the team this season?

My personal goals for the team this season are to become a family. I understand that it can be hard having someone new come in, but I want the girls to know I have their back and want them to do the same for me. And along with becoming a family, obviously, the goal is to win another district championship but even more I would like to win at least one more game than last year. I want the girls to know we are going in the right direction to build a legacy. 

VYPE: What made you want to coach this team?

I wanted to coach this team because they took a chance on me. Seneca’s athletic department took a chance on a young, new coach and the girls are taking a chance on someone new. I want to show them their full potential and share my knowledge of the game with them. 

With that, I haven’t coached a high school team yet. This will only be my second year of teaching. I have coached summer ball teams and enjoyed doing it. 

VYPE: Who have you looked to for advice, and why?

The people I look to the most for advice are my parents. Both of my parents are teachers and coaches. It runs in the family and it has been so helpful to know I can always run ideas by them and ask for advice. They are my biggest supporters. Along with that my high school coach, Coach Dishman, and my dad, Coach Stolte, showed me how I would like to coach someday. They treat their girls with respect and have high expectations. Their knowledge of softball has grown tremendously and I want to represent them well. 

VYPE: What has been the biggest impression the team has made on you, and why?

So far I have only met my girls once, but just from that one meeting, I saw their willingness to accept change and be excited about it. So I think my biggest impression of them is that they are eager. Eager to learn and get this season started. With that being said, I haven’t started working with them yet. But we will hit the ground running this summer with workouts and league games and I am excited to get to see them play together. 

VYPE: You can pick any place for a summer vacation. Where do you go and who do you take with you?

If I could pick any place for a summer vacation, I’m picking Hawaii. It is absolutely beautiful there and the atmosphere makes you never want to leave. I’d have to take my family with me. They deserve a nice vacation too.

VYPE: If we gave you $500 and you had to spend it in the next 24 hours, what would you spend it on?

If you gave me $500 to spend in 24 hours I would probably spend it on new shoes and things for my pets. 

VYPE: Do you participate in any community service projects?

I do not yet participate in any current community projects. But I will say the goal is to in the future get a youth softball program started for all ages in the summer. I want to allow all girls the chance to play in the summer and start building the family culture for Seneca softball, no matter the age. 

VYPE: Are you involved in any academic excellence activities such as the National Honor Society, Student Council, or other academic clubs as a sponsor?

I also do not yet participate in any academic activities. But I would love to in the future. I think it’s important for the girls to see me as more than just a coach and to be around all of the students at Seneca and give them a chance to know me. Being a former student-athlete in not only high school but college as well, I know the importance of keeping your grades up and being a student first. I want to see my girls excel in both the classroom and on the field.