Annelise Garcia is entering her first season as the assistant coach of the UCCS softball program in 2026-27.
Garcia joins the Mountain Lion family after most recently serving as an assistant coach at Sierra College in Rocklin, Calif. During her time with the Wolverines, Garcia assisted with daily practice planning and worked primarily with the program's catchers and outfielders while also providing instruction to hitters. In addition to her on-field responsibilities, Garcia assisted with game and practice analysis and the development of individualized training programs for student-athletes.
Garcia also brings international coaching and playing experience to Colorado Springs after serving as a player-coach with Metro Stars Vienna in Austria during the summer of 2026. In her dual role with the organization, Garcia competed as an active player while serving as a head coach for the club's first and second league teams. She was responsible for setting game-day lineups, leading practices and making in-game adjustments while also helping conduct weekly camps for youth softball players.
Prior to beginning her coaching career, Garcia put together a decorated four-year playing career at NCAA Division II member California State University East Bay from 2022-25. A three-time First Team All-CCAA and D2CCA All-West Region selection, Garcia finished her career ranked among the top five in Pioneers' program history in several offensive categories, including hits (225 – 2nd), triples (20 – 2nd), runs scored (135 – 3rd), stolen bases (58 – 3rd), RBIs (110 – 4th), doubles (45 – T-4th), and home runs (22 – T4th).
Garcia enjoyed one of her best seasons as a junior in 2024, leading the Pioneers in batting average (.364), runs (40), hits (63), doubles (11), triples (4), home runs (10), and stolen bases (12) on her way to earning First Team All-West Region honors from both the D2CCA and NFCA. She followed with another strong campaign as a senior, hitting .352 with 64 hits, 13 doubles, five triples, four home runs, 26 RBI and 15 stolen bases while earning D2CCA All-West Region Second Team and First Team All-CCAA accolades.
In addition to her success on the field, Garcia was a three-time Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete and CSC Academic All-District honoree while earning multiple CCAA academic honors during her collegiate career. She was also named Cal State East Bay's Female Rising Pioneer Award winner as a sophomore and received the Female Career Pioneer Award following her senior season before graduating summa cum laude with her bachelor's degree in 2025.
Away from the diamond, Garcia spent four summers working with the Giants Community Fund as a Junior Giants Ambassador. In that role, she helped establish a new youth baseball league in Roseville, Calif., while also working with an existing league in San Leandro. Her work helped create opportunities for underserved youth through a new 12-team league while recruiting 40 additional volunteers to support the Junior Giants program.
Garcia graduated summa cum laude from Cal State East Bay with her bachelor's degree in 2025 and went on to pursue her master's degree at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. While at Cal State East Bay, she also worked as a student assistant with the university's recreation center and athletic department and completed an internship with the University of California, Berkeley football program.
