PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – August 12, 2026 – University of Maryland Eastern Shore head softball coach Chelsea Holiday has announced the addition of Paige Whittington, Tre Hobbs, and Alexis Shadowens to her coaching staff, completing the inaugural staff of her tenure with the Hawks ahead of the 2026-27 season.

"I'm incredibly excited to welcome Paige, Tre, and Alexis to Hawk Nation," said Holiday. "Each of them brings something unique to our program, but they all share the same passion for developing student-athletes, competing at a high level, and building a culture centered around accountability and excellence. I'm confident this staff will have a tremendous impact on our program both on and off the field."

Paige Whittington

Whittington joins the Hawks following one of the most decorated playing careers in Bluefield State history. The 2026 CIAA Player of the Year, First Team All-CIAA selection, and NFCA Division II Atlantic Region First Team honoree, she ranked among the nation's top offensive players after batting .461 while recording 71 hits and 52 stolen bases during her senior campaign. Known as one of the premier slap hitters in Division II softball, Whittington brings elite offensive knowledge and baserunning expertise that will play a key role in the continued development of the Hawks' lineup.

"I'm super excited and grateful to have Coach Paige on staff with us," Holiday said. "Her versatility, ability to lead with confidence, adjust with purpose, and make everyone around her better will have an immediate impact on our program. Paige has experienced success at the highest level as both a player and teammate, and I know she'll be an outstanding mentor for our student-athletes."

Tre Hobbs

Hobbs joins UMES after spending the past three seasons as the head softball coach at Mississippi Delta Community College, where he directed all aspects of the program, including recruiting, budgeting, scheduling, fundraising, player development, and game strategy. During his tenure, he engineered one of the program's most successful turnarounds, improving the team's batting average, earned run average, fielding percentage, and conference win total while producing All-Conference student-athletes and a Division I signee. His teams also excelled in the classroom, maintaining a cumulative team GPA above 3.3 while setting the program record for most wins in a single season in 2025.
Prior to becoming a head coach, Hobbs served as the outfield and hitting instructor at Coahoma Community College, where he focused on player development, recruiting, and strength and conditioning. He also gained coaching experience at the high school level as a pitching and outfield coach at Clarksdale High School and J.W. Stampley 9th Grade Academy, as well as a pitching and assistant baseball coach at Washington School.

"Tre brings a wealth of coaching experience and a championship mindset to our staff," Holiday said. "His ability to develop players, build relationships, and create a culture of accountability makes him an outstanding addition to our program. He understands how to develop talent and inspire those around him, and his experience leading a program will be invaluable as we continue building something special at UMES."

Alexis Shadowens

Shadowens arrives in Princess Anne after serving as an assistant softball coach at Bluefield State University, where she assisted with daily program operations, player development, practice planning, team logistics, and administrative responsibilities while helping cultivate a positive and accountable team culture. Before joining the coaching staff, she completed an internship with the Bluefield State athletic department, gaining experience in athletic operations, sports marketing, game-day production, statistics, and event management.
A former standout student-athlete, Shadowens played collegiately at both Bluefield State University and Dyersburg State Community College. During her senior season at Bluefield State, she earned Most Valuable Player and First Team All-Conference honors, capping off a successful collegiate career before transitioning into coaching.

"Alexis brings a confidence that immediately sets the tone for the culture we're building," Holiday said. "She understands what it takes to compete, leads by example every day, and has a passion for developing student-athletes. She's exactly the type of person we want representing our program."

The additions of Whittington, Hobbs, and Shadowens provide Holiday with a well-rounded coaching staff that blends head coaching experience, collegiate recruiting knowledge, player development expertise, and championship-level playing experience. Together, the trio will play an integral role in helping shape the next chapter of UMES softball as the Hawks prepare for the 2026-27 season.

"This staff is committed to building a program that competes at a high level while developing outstanding young women," Holiday said. "We're excited to get to work and continue laying the foundation for sustained success here at UMES."