On Jan. 14, Nikki Yanchak was promoted to be the interim head coach for the 2025 softball season. She spent her first year at California as the assistant coach in the 2024 season, but she has multiple years of experience coaching at the DI, DII, and DIII levels. This promotion comes after the resignation of the previous head coach, Rick Bertagnolli, who led the Vulcans for over three decades, amassing back-to-back NCAA National Championships in 1997 and 1998 and a 972-389 record.
Yanchak is not only a former head coach of multiple programs, most recently Alderson-Broaddus, but was also a pitcher at Fairmont State from 2011-14, adding a layer of familiarity to coaching the sport. When expressing how her past could contribute to the team’s success, she explained how she can relate to the student-athletes and be an excellent coach.
“I hope that my experiences as both a coach and a player will be valuable to our team. I can relate to the challenges they have as student-athletes and the time and commitment they will need to give to both,” Yanchak said. “I think I can also relay that we have to maintain positivity and have short memories. It was my philosophy as a player: Next pitch.”
Although the expectations for Vulcan softball are high and Yanchak has to supersede a very successful coach, she is not shying away from that fact and is embracing it. Yanchak also credits the former coach Bertagnolli for mentoring her and teaching her this past year.
“Being able to learn from Coach B has been amazing and his mentoring has meant the world to me. I know that I can’t be the same coach that Coach B was. He is one of a kind and his record speaks for itself,” said Yanchak. “I am going to do everything I can to be true to my coaching style and philosophy while carrying on the tradition and legacy that Coach B brought to this program.”
Finally, Yanchak has expressed excitement about the upcoming season, despite the challenges to start the season.
“We have some great senior leadership in Kate Achtermeier, Carlena “Weeze” Fiorilli, and Bri Sersevic. Kate and Weeze have been here four years and understand the tradition and work we need to put in. Bri transferred from Alderson-Broaddus last year,” Yanchak said, commenting about her seniors on the team. “I am confident that the team will be ready to go and carry on the Vulcan tradition. I am very excited and looking forward to the season.”
The home season for the Vulcans starts next month, hosting Charleston on Feb. 25. They will then head to Florida for the Spring Games before coming back and entering PSAC play shortly after.
