Coaches
Kelly Saenz
Head Coach
High School: Teulon Collegiate (Manitoba, Canada)
College: Eastern Kentucky University (1998 Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year). Master’s Degree, University of South Dakota.
Coaching career: Frank Phillips College, 2003; San Jacinto 2004-present.
Family: Mike, husband
Entering her fifth season as San Jacinto College’s head coach, Kelly Saenz has perfected skills at keeping one of the region’s most respected programs in tip top shape.
Priority: Build a talented roster using primarily the never-pool of Houston area and Texas-based talent. Mission accomplished. Heading into the 2008 season, all but one player graduated from high school in Texas. A dozen of those players were recruited from Houston area high schools.
“There’s so much talent here in Houston and across the state,” Saenz said. “I found out several years ago that the talent is right here, close to home. You don’t have to go far to find the best student-athletes. Now, I would say this program has grown in popularity. I took over what was already a successful program, but now there are plenty of players who would welcome the opportunity to play and get an education here.”
Priority: Be a player’s coach. Be understanding at times, yet firm in others. An accomplished high school and collegiate player, Saenz has a first-hand knowledge of what it takes to achieve both in the classroom and on the field. Some days are better than others. Saenz understands when a give-and-take approach is needed.
“Here at San Jac, we do not just develop the athlete, but we also develop the student and help turn these young ladies into responsible adults. It is my goal that the student-athletes leave this program with a strong foundation, both athletically and academically, that they will be able to use for the rest of their lives,” said Saenz. “I care about these young ladies and what their pasts, present and futures hold. Education is a priority, and sometimes you need to be flexible. The goal is for these young ladies to move on to a four-year school, to continue playing in some cases and to get a degree. I think we have done a great job with that.”
Priority: Put a winner on the field. Saenz has had just one losing season in her previous four. Last year’s 37-13 mark came with a regional tournament berth.
“We want to win here,” she said. “The support from the administration, faculty, students and the community is fantastic. We’ve done some special things in the community with some of the youth teams. It’s important to be successful, and when you win, everybody looks good.”
The one missing piece for Saenz is a berth in the national tournament. That may come this year, or maybe not. If not, Saenz and her players will continue striving to reach their goals. “There are so many things that go into having a successful program, and I know we have that here,” Saenz said. “I love it here. We make positive strides each year. It’s been fun.”
Dionna Lopez
Assistant Coach
Dionna Lopez, a record-setting pitcher at San Jacinto College, is back for her fourth season as the team’s assistant coach.
Lopez played during the 1997 and 1998 season for San Jac and ranks among the all-time leaders in single-season wins (16), earned run average (1.24 in 1997) and shutouts in a single season (9 in 1998).
After leaving San Jacinto College, Lopez played two seasons at the University of the Incarnate Word. She now teaches in the Pasadena Independent School District. Her main responsibility lies with the San Jac pitchers.