News Summary
The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) has announced the appointment of Kinsey Fiedler as an assistant coach for its softball program. Fiedler, a Lee’s Summit native, has a remarkable collegiate playing background, including a successful tenure at the Tennessee Volunteers and Washington Huskies. Her experience will be instrumental in guiding young players as the team aims to improve following a challenging season. Fiedler’s leadership and skills are expected to help rebuild the program as they strive for greater success in upcoming competitions.
Kansas City, Missouri – In a strategic move to enhance its softball program, the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) has appointed Kinsey Fiedler as an assistant coach. The announcement was made on X (formerly Twitter) by the university on Tuesday night. Fiedler, a native of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, brings a wealth of playing experience that is expected to significantly impact the team.
Before joining UMKC, Fiedler played for the Tennessee Volunteers, where she concluded her collegiate playing career. During her final season with the Volunteers, she posted an impressive .330 batting average, scored 48 runs, and achieved a career-high of 60 hits. Fiedler also recorded nine doubles and tied Tennessee’s single-season record for triples with eight. Additionally, she had 36 RBIs and maintained a reached-base streak of 22 consecutive games.
Prior to her time at Tennessee, Fiedler played three seasons with the Washington Huskies, where she made significant contributions to the team’s success. Her tenure at Washington included a spot on the 2022 Pac-12 All-Freshman Team. In her freshman year, she demonstrated her talent with 10 stolen bases, 11 home runs—the most by any freshman on the team—and led all freshmen with 26 RBIs. Fiedler was instrumental in helping the Huskies reach the 2023 Women’s College World Series (WCWS).
Fiedler’s accolades are not limited to her collegiate career. She also competed on a national level, representing Team USA at the 2021 Junior World Championship. During this tournament, she impressed with a batting average of .435, collected a home run, contributed a triple, and scored 10 runs, helping her team secure a gold medal.
UMKC’s softball program underwent challenges in the 2025 season, finishing with a 5-43 overall record and only one win in conference play (1-17). The team was notably young, featuring 10 freshmen who collectively logged a total of 211 starts. Despite graduating only three seniors at the end of the season, the team is now looking to rebuild and strengthen its performance in the upcoming seasons.
Fiedler’s extensive experience, coupled with the guidance of head coach Kiki Stokes O’Connor and assistant coaches Cody Barham and Josie Tofpi, is expected to provide a solid foundation for UMKC’s aspirations of success in the competitive landscape of college softball. Her background and skills are seen as vital in mentoring the younger players and elevating the overall execution of the program.
Fiedler’s transition from player to coach comes at a critical time for UMKC, as they aim to cultivate their talents and significantly improve their standings in the upcoming seasons. The program’s commitment to building a competitive team that can contend in the future is apparent in their hiring choices and development strategies.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- SI.com: Kinsey Fiedler Named UMKC Assistant Coach
- GoHuskies: Kinsey Fiedler Roster Information
- Seattle Times: Kinsey Fiedler Leads UW Offense
- UTSports: Kinsey Fiedler Overview
- Fox4KC: KU’s Lauren Dooley Signs NIL Deal
- Google Search: Kinsey Fiedler
Author: STAFF HERE KANSAS CITY WRITER
The KANSAS CITY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKansasCity.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Kansas City, Jackson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as American Royal World Series of Barbecue, Dia De Los Muertos, and Planet Anime Kansas City. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Kansas City, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Children's Mercy Hospital, Government Employees Health Association, and AMC Entertainment. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREStLouis.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Missouri's dynamic landscape.
