Niki Andersen enters her first year of coaching following a very successful playing career at BYU. Andersen played softball at BYU from 2001-2005 and set several school records during that time. Andersen is the only BYU softball player to be named Mountain West Conference Player of the Week three times. She pitched the second no-hitter in school history and led the Mountain West Conference in opposing batting batting average (.213) in 2004. In 2002 she pitched a 16 inning game against Colorado State, which was the longest game in school and MWC history. She holds the BYU record for most strikeouts and wins. BYU won the Mountain West Conference championship in 2005 and beat No. 2 Cal in the first game of the NCAA tournament. In 2004 Andersen was named BYU's Defensive Player of the Year. Prior to coming to BYU, Andersen set every Utah High School pitching record at Alta High School. She finished her high school career with a .12 era and 767 career strikeouts. Her won the 5A state softball championship from 1999-2001. She earned All-State honors all four years of high school and was a three-time 5A state MVP. Andersen was also named the Gatorade Player of the Year and she was a four-time All-Region selection. She received All-American honors her senior year and was also a member of America[apos]s Best High School Athletes in 2000-2001. When Andersen is not coaching she enjoys being in the outdoors, swimming, hiking and being with family and friends. Her father Rob played football for BYU from 1977-80 and then went on to play in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams.
