LA MIRADA, Calif. --- After leading Biola Softball to a 2021 NCAA Division II West Region Championship and berth in the NCAA Division II Softball Championship series, Head Coach Nikki Udria (now Udria-Ragin) has accepted a position as assistant softball coach at her alma mater, Oregon.

"Nikki has been a high-impact coach in a short time with our program, not only in the competitive success of the program but in the way she has developed our student-athletes to integrate their identity in Christ into playing softball," said Dr. Bethany Miller, senior director of athletics. " She has led with excellence and humility and will be greatly missed by our staff."

Udria-Ragin spent three seasons as Biola's head coach, compiling an overall record of 72-38. She and her staff earned the distinction as the 2021 National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II West Region Staff of the Year for helping BU to new heights this year. 

"Coach Nikki has been such a huge blessing to the Biola Softball program and to each of our own individual lives. Her knowledge and skill for the game is impressive as she learned to navigate the responsibilities of a head coach at such a young age," said softball alumna Ruth Muñoz. "The most inspiring and beautiful trait about coach Nikki is her deep love for Christ, and how His love radiates through her. It's been an honor to have played for Coach Nikki and I'll always remember the challenges, victories, and sweet memories we have shared during her time at Biola. I know God has planned some amazing things in her future, but she will truly be missed for the amazing coach and mentor she has been these past 4 years."

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share Neil 

This season, she led the team to a 26-16 overall record. Under her leadership, starting pitcher Paige Austin earned PacWest Conference Co-Female Athlete of the Year and catcher Kayla Neff earned NCAA Woman of the Year recognition.

The on-field accomplishments aside, Udria-Ragin's program was an example of the missional vision and values of Biola University and Biola Athletics. Her influence in the spiritual, academic and athletic development of her student-athletes will be missed.

"Sharing just a few sentences about her isn't enough to explain the impact she left not only Biola Softball, but on each individual player. In just three short years, coach Nikki has changed lives and created history within our program. She lead our team spiritually, and pushed us to be the best Christian student-athletes she knew we could be. She is the pure example of a woman of God," said Biola alumna Kayla Neff. "She has made my time at Biola something I will never forget and memories that will be cherished forever. I don't know where this program would be if she hadn't stepped into this position three years ago. She has taught me what it means to be a good teammate, a spiritual leader and most importantly, how to give glory to Jesus in the highs and lows on and off the field."

She returns to the University of Oregon program she called home from 2013 through 2017. She was a two-time All-American for the Ducks and made the NCAA postseason all four years.

Udria-Ragin joins the staff of Oregon's head coach Melyssa Lombardi. Lombardi is entering her fourth season as Oregon and led the Ducks to a 40-17 record in 2021, reaching the NCAA postseason for the first time in her tenure.

Biola will immediately begin its search for a new head coach for the No. 2 program in NCAA Division II. Interested applicants should visit the Biola Human Resources website to see when the application goes live.

UNIVERSITY OF OREGON ANNOUNCEMENT