Notre Dame's LeBeouf signs with Houston

CROWLEY – Thoughts of playing college softball were just that - thoughts - for Notre Dame standout Elise LeBeouf.
The senior outfielder never gave it serious consideration during her first two years of playing in high school.
“I always thought that you just had to be amazing to play in college and I never really thought of myself as being able to do that,” said LeBeouf.
University of Houston coach Kyla Holas, as well as a handful of other coaches, had different thoughts, however.
Holas made an early offer to LeBeouf, who jumped at the opportunity and then made it official last Tuesday when she signed a national Letter of Intent to play softball for the Cougars beginning in the fall.
“Whenever the coaches wanted me to go visit their schools and stuff like that, that’s when I realized I could actually do this,” said LeBeouf. “I went on a visit to the University of Nebraska at Omaha and one to Central Florida  but after I went to Houston, I made my decision.
“The campus (at Houston)  was beautiful and the coaches were just amazing. All the players have a really good bond and I just feel like I fit in really well over there.”
Getting noticed and signed was a bit of a relief for LeBeouf, a two-sport athelte who is currently prepping for the Lady Pios upcoming basketball opener next week.
“This summer there were a bunch of seniors that weren’t committed so I know it was stressful for them. I’m just blessed to have gotten that out of the way,” said LeBeouf, who plays travel ball with the Wichita (Kansas) Mustangs.
Holas and the Cougars are not only getting a solid outfielder with range and a strong arm, but a player that hits for both power and average.
During her junior campaign, LeBeouf led the Lady Pios with a batting average of .532 to go along with an on base percentage of .622. She was tied for the team-lead in hits with 42 and she had nine doubles, nine triples and two home runs. She struck out just six times in 98 plate appearances.
For her efforts, LeBeouf was named the District 6-3A Most Valuable Player and was also tabbed as an honorable mention on both the Louisiana Sports Writer’s Association and the Louisiana Softball Coaches Association All-State teams.
“Elise is an athlete who will bring some consistency to our outfield,” said Holas, who is a former three-time All-American pitcher for USL (now Louisiana Lafayette) She is the type of player you like to see play the game because she is always present. I am excited to add a Louisiana girl to our roster. That has been a tough state for us to break into.”
Elise is the daughter of Kyle and Jeanne LeBeouf of Crowley.