After her debut season in the professional ranks, Jackie Lis is returning to the college game.
One of the best players from Texas Tech's breakout softball era has just finished her first season as a professional.
Now, she's returning to the college ranks to impart her wisdom on other college athletes.
Jackie Lis has been hired by the University of North Carolina Greensboro as an assistant softball coach, the school announced this week.
A transfer from Southern Illinois last season, Lis' one year in Lubbock with the Red Raiders saw her hit .415 with 21 home runs and 75 runs batted in. Her 21 homers are the second-most in a single season in program history, trailing only her second-baseman neighbor Mia Williams (27).
"Jackie will add tremendous insight to our program," UNCG head coach Janelle Breneman said. "As a talented and versatile player in college and in the AUSL, she brings a wealth of experience and a true competitor's mindset. She analyzes and teaches hitting exceptionally well, and her love for competition will make an immediate impact on our student-athletes and program."
Professional players joining coaching staffs during the AUSL offseason is not uncommon. Texas Tech's own Gerry Glasco had Kayla Kowalik as an assistant after her All-American career at Kentucky.
Kowalik is a catcher for the AUSL's Carolina Blaze. She is coming off a .344 batting average in the league's second season. Kowalik will not return to Texas Tech for this spring's season, as the school announced it has filled out Glasco's staff with Jeff Cottrill and Shelby Pendley.
At Texas Tech, Lis helped the Red Raiders to their second straight appearance in the Women's College World Series championship by finishing as a first-team All-Big 12 selection, Big 12 Tournament Team member and Second-Team All-American.
Lis was drafted in the sixth round of the 2026 Athletes Unlimited Softball League by the Texas Volts, the same team that landed Tech star pitcher NiJaree Canady - a former travel ball teammate of Lis - with the No. 2 overall pick.
In her debut AUSL season, Lis had a .292 batting average with 14 hits and a team-high 11 walks in 22 games played.
Canady struggled adjusting to the professional game after a generational college career. The All-American right-hander had a record of 1-6 with a 4.67 earned run average.
