FAYETTE, Iowa – Upper Iowa head softball coach Rachel Rhode has announced the hiring of Jasmin Estrada as the team's new assistant coach. Estrada previously served as a graduate assistant coach at Northern State (S.D.) and was the head coach for Wausau Ignite in the Northwoods Summer Collegiate League this past summer.
Rhode is excited about what Estrada can bring to her staff.
"Jasmin will bring tremendous energy to our team both on and off the field," Rhode said. "From our first conversation, her fierce competitiveness stood out, and I know that will elevate the standard within our program. She brings a strong background in hitting, as well as a wealth of high-level experience as both a player and a coach. Her experience playing Division II softball at a high level really sets her apart, and her ability to connect with athletes will have a tremendous impact on our program's growth and success."
Before coaching at Northern State, Estrada played softball at St. Cloud State (Minn.) from 2019-23. She was the first player in program history to be a four-time all-conference honoree. Estrada leads the Husky record books in career home runs (43), RBIs (188) and extra-base hits (96). She also set records for most hits in a game (five), RBIs in a game (seven) and RBIs in a season (62).
After a successful playing career, Estrada has continued her passion for the game by coaching.
"Coaching is my passion," Estrada said. "I love being able to share my love for the game, but more importantly, I enjoy watching players gain confidence and push themselves to new levels. There's nothing better than seeing an athlete realize they can do something they didn't think was possible. Coaching gives me the opportunity to help them grow not only as players but also as people, and that's what keeps me motivated every day."
At Northern State, Estrada oversaw the offense and infield. With her on staff, Northern State broke the program records for hits and doubles in a season. The Huskies also increased their batting average from .253 in 2022-23 to .309 in 2023-24.
"Her clear communication and energy set her apart immediately," Rhode said. "She was very well-spoken and presented a thoughtful plan for how she could contribute to Upper Iowa softball. On top of that, her extensive coaching background and her experience as a Division II athlete made her stand out even more. From our first phone call, her passion for the game and her commitment to developing players made it clear that she was the right fit for our program."
Many aspects of Fayette made this job appealing to Estrada as well.
"I chose Upper Iowa because the campus is beautiful and has a very tight-knit community feel," Estrada said. "From the moment I stepped on campus, I could tell it was a place where people truly support each other. I also believe in the vision that Coach Rhode and I share — we both see the potential to build something great here. I'm excited to help make Upper Iowa a top team in the conference and create something really special with this program."
Both Rhode and Estrada start their first season at Upper Iowa this spring. Rhode was hired in June after spending two seasons as the head coach of Northeastern State (Okla.).
"I'm excited for this team to have a fresh start and bring new energy to the program," Estrada said. "There's a lot of potential here, and I'm looking forward to seeing the players compete in the GLVC. It's a tough conference, but that makes it even more exciting to watch our athletes rise to the challenge and prove what they're capable of."
