Ceres High School grad Nicole “Sis” Bates is returning to her college alma mater.

A three-time All-American with the University of Washington softball program, Bates will serve as director of player development for the Huskies.

Head coach Heather Tarr made the announcement on June 22.

“It brings us a lot of joy and excitement to have Sis Bates return to Husky Softball,” Tarr said. “Her experience as a student athlete and as a professional softball player will allow her to lay the groundwork for the future of our program.”

“The love I have for this program is indescribable,” said Bates. “I feel so grateful to be able to impact the next generation of Huskies while working alongside the people I love most. This program and staff has molded me into the woman I am today and I cannot wait to see the impact it has on our future Huskies. Go Dawgs forever!”

Bates joins assistant coaches Victoria Hayward and Courtney Gano as additions to Coach Tarr’s staff during the offseason.

She was a student assistant for Washington’s 2022 team.

“As the director of player development, she (Bates) is the perfect person to step in and help our program improve in every way,” Tarr said. “Sis will be involved in every facet of the program from the mental game, to helping our coaching staff and student-athletes both on and off the field, this role allows someone like Sis, to be the glue between our staff and our players.”

Bates enjoyed a storied athletic career with the Huskies.

She filled a major role in leading Washington to 222 victories, three trips to the Women’s College World Series—including one finals berth—and one Pac-12 regular-season title from 2017-2021.

She became just the second player in Pac-12 history to earn three Defensive Player of the Year awards (2021, 2019, 2018).

Her career fielding percentage of .980 is the second-highest mark for any middle infielder in Washington history.

In her last 75 games, Bates made three total errors.

She was voted best college shortstop on ESPN’s Greatest All-Time Softball Team via a fan poll in 2019.

One of the most decorated players in Washington history, Bates became the program’s all-time hits leaders during her final season.

She had 320 hits in 261 career games.

She also ranks first in triples (18), third in runs (227), fourth in batting average (.385) and fifth in doubles (54) in program history.

Bates batted .389 from the plate in 2021 with one homer, five triples, 12 doubles, 32 RBIs, 55 runs and 21 stolen bases.

She led the Pac-12 in hits with 75.

Bates also made history by becoming just the fifth hitter from Washington to earn NFCA All-American honors for a third time.

She was selected to the NFCA Second Team.

She was a first-team pick in 2019 and 2018.

She was a Top-10 finalist for 2021 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.

Bates was named Washington’s 2020-21 Pac-12 Tom Hansen Conference Medal recipient for Outstanding Female Student-Athlete.

She made the Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll in 2020 and earned Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention recognition in 2019.

She was voted Seattle Female Sports Star of the Year in 2019.

“Getting ahold of someone like Sis is not easy,” Tarr said. “She’s a game-changer. We expected that from her. No one predicted she would become the sensation she is today. She’s as popular of an athlete there is in today’s sports world. She’s done a great job of not letting the success get in her way. She doesn’t want the attention. It’s awesome having someone like that representing our program with that stature. She prefers to lead by example. She’s one of the nicest people.”

Bates resumed her professional softball career in the Athletes Unlimited league this summer. 

She finished ninth in the individual standings as a rookie in 2021.

She batted .326 with five doubles, one triple, one RBI, six runs, one walk and one stolen base in 15 games.

Bates was named GEICO MVP following the conclusion of the AUX Softball condensed season in 2022. 

She had 21 putouts and a .952 fielding percentage in 12 games. 

Bates made ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays twice for her defensive wizardry.

She collected one double, eight singles, five RBIs, four runs and one walk on offense.

Bates will join Coach Tarr and fellow Washington alums Baylee Klingler and Ali Aguilar this summer with Team USA in Dublin at the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup July 11-15. 

Said Tarr: “We are excited to go on this journey, with Sis, as she develops as a professional. We can’t wait to see how good we can get with her on our team, again.” 

Bates was a four-year standout at Ceres High School.

She was voted 2016 Cal-Hi Sports Ms. Softball State and Medium Schools Player of the Year.

Led by Bates, the Bulldogs collected 85 wins, claimed one Sac-Joaquin Section championship, captured three Western Athletic Conference crowns and appeared in the playoffs four times.