Utah State University Eastern Women's Softball

Coach Groves is in her first year as head coach of the Lady Eagles softball team.  Groves has nearly a decade of experience coaching at the collegiate level leading the Cougars of Western Nebraska Community College as head coach from 2016-2022 and as an assistant coach for three years prior.  She helped lead the Cougars to three Region IX titles during her time at Western Nebraska.   A student athlete herself, Coach Groves had an impressive playing career at Western Nebraska where she led her team to the Region IX title in 2010 with a 51-15 record. She was one of the top hitters not only for WNCC but Region IX and the NJCAA.  Groves earned All-American honors in 2009 with an overall batting average of .517 and .895 slugging percentage.  She still holds several records at her time at Western Nebraska.   After graduating from WNCC in 2010, she went on to play at the University of Central Missouri where she earned her bachelor's degree and served one year as a graduate assistant in pursuing her master's degree. While at Central Missouri, she earned All-MIAA First Team honors and was a MIAA conference and NFCA Division II All-American Scholar athlete.

Shaylee Nicholson is in her first year as the Head Cheer Coach at Utah State University Eastern. She previously served as the Assistant Cheer Coach during the 2024–2025 season and now leads the program with energy and enthusiasm rooted in her deep connection to the local community. A native of Price, Utah, she earned an Associate’s Degree in Science from Utah State University Eastern and is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education through Western Governors University. Outside of coaching, she is a dedicated stay-at-home mom to three children, ages 8, 5, and 3, and plans to begin teaching elementary-aged students once her children are all in school full time. When she’s not coaching or studying, she enjoys spending time with her family, whether it's swimming, playing outside, or supporting her kids’ activities.

Anthony Ricci is in his first year as the Assistant Softball Coach at Utah State University Eastern. He brings a wealth of experience from Utah’s high school and competitive club softball scenes, having served as an assistant coach at Skyline High School and with Utah Fastpitch Club, and as head coach for both the Utah Freakz 06 and Hillcrest High School. He also coached football as the defensive line coach at Hillcrest High. With the Utah Freakz 06, he led the team to multiple top finishes, including a first-place win at the Sparkler Tournament in Colorado and a second-place finish in the PGF Nationals Platinum Division, along with numerous tournament championships. Although he did not compete at the collegiate level, his commitment to player development and team success has had a lasting impact. He attended the University of Utah in 1997 and again in 2017 and is currently pursuing a degree in Kinesiology Teaching. He has been happily married to his wife, AnnDrea Ricci, for 24 years. Together, they have three children. Their son Jacob is a decorated high school swimmer and a University of Utah graduate in Economics. Their daughter Brooklyn, a former four-year starter at Hillcrest High, is now a collegiate catcher at Utah Valley University. Their bonus son, Josiah Gonzalez, ran track at Utah State University and is currently entering his sophomore year of college.

Hill attended Utah State University Eastern and Salt Lake Community College, where she initially pursued nursing before transitioning to general studies, allowing her to explore a broader range of academic interests. As a collegiate cheerleader for three years, she developed confidence, resilience, and teamwork while overcoming mental barriers and mastering collegiate-level skills that strengthened her both on and off the mat. She began her coaching career at Utah State University Eastern during the 2025–26 season, helping guide the Eagles to their first Nationals qualification in six years. The achievement marked a major milestone for the program and a memorable start to her coaching career. Originally from Salt Lake City, she enjoys spending time with her family whenever possible. She also has two dogs that are a big part of her life and loves spending time outdoors with them.