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Two Seniors Not Returning in 2021
5/13/2020 11:33:00 AM | Softball
The pair has graduated, will not return for fifth year
HOUSTON – University of Houston Softball seniors Kelli Montgomery and Brianna Burton will not return to the program for the 2021 season.
"This was obviously not the way we envisioned honoring and sending off these two," Head Coach Kristin Vesely said. "We will miss them as players, as well as the laughter and enjoyment their teammates had playing with them."
In their four years, Montgomery and Burton helped lead Houston to pair of NCAA Tournament appearances, which included a Regional Final in 2019.
Kelli Montgomery 
Infield
Houston, Texas
Despite a shortened senior season, Montgomery made the most of her opportunities, finishing her final campaign as her best in a Houston uniform. While setting career highs in nearly every offensive category, Montgomery ended 2020 leading the Cougars with 24 RBIs on the year, a mark that ranked tied for third in the American Athletic Conference. She also put together the performance of a lifetime against UTEP, where she blasted two home runs and drove in seven RBIs, the most in a single game since 2017.
In the classroom, Montgomery graduated this spring with a degree in psychology and finished her career as a two-time NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete* honoree. She also made three appearances on The American All-Academic Team*.
Vesely on Montgomery:
"Kelli is one of those players that coaches love having on their team. She works hard, she is a phenomenal student and her teammates enjoy being around her. One of my fondest memories is listening to her share stories of at-bats and softball stories of her youth. There is a level of personality from her stories that will make anyone laugh.
"What I will miss most about her is having her perspective and maturity around our team. She has continued to grow as a player and a person the past four years. She has played through pain for the game she loves and to her teammates, that is something very admirable that describes her how tough she is. I cannot wait to continue to watch her grow and see what her future holds."
Brianna Burton
Catcher
Cypress, Texas
Burton wrapped up her career having competed in 100 games, while appearing in the starting lineup on 17 occasions. In 2019, she posted an on-base percentage of .471, a mark that led the Cougars. That same season, she saw action in the field for the first time in her career in the win over Texas Southern.
Off the field, Burton has spent time volunteering at the Community of Faith. She graduated this spring with a degree in business administrations and made three appearances on The American All-Academic Team*.
Vesely on Burton:
"Brianna is a player that has grown tremendously in the past four years. She is one of the players who is constantly keeping her teammates laughing and keeping things light. One of my fondest memories of Brianna was when we were driving on the bus in Las Vegas and she started speaking in an accent. She wasn't aware the coaches could hear her and how hard we were laughing! She had the whole team, staff and bus as her audience.
"What I will miss most about Brianna is her love for music and dancing. The times we had music on at practice, during pregame or in between innings, she would be dancing between reps and with her teammates. I enjoyed seeing her impact on keeping the atmosphere from being too serious and seeing her teammates love that time with each other. Throughout her time at Houston, we have seen her grow from a teenager to a young woman, and there is nothing more special as a coach than to see who she is becoming and who she will continue to be."
*Academic accolades for both players are through May 13, 2020.
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"This was obviously not the way we envisioned honoring and sending off these two," Head Coach Kristin Vesely said. "We will miss them as players, as well as the laughter and enjoyment their teammates had playing with them."
In their four years, Montgomery and Burton helped lead Houston to pair of NCAA Tournament appearances, which included a Regional Final in 2019.
Infield
Houston, Texas
Despite a shortened senior season, Montgomery made the most of her opportunities, finishing her final campaign as her best in a Houston uniform. While setting career highs in nearly every offensive category, Montgomery ended 2020 leading the Cougars with 24 RBIs on the year, a mark that ranked tied for third in the American Athletic Conference. She also put together the performance of a lifetime against UTEP, where she blasted two home runs and drove in seven RBIs, the most in a single game since 2017.
In the classroom, Montgomery graduated this spring with a degree in psychology and finished her career as a two-time NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete* honoree. She also made three appearances on The American All-Academic Team*.
Vesely on Montgomery:
"Kelli is one of those players that coaches love having on their team. She works hard, she is a phenomenal student and her teammates enjoy being around her. One of my fondest memories is listening to her share stories of at-bats and softball stories of her youth. There is a level of personality from her stories that will make anyone laugh.
"What I will miss most about her is having her perspective and maturity around our team. She has continued to grow as a player and a person the past four years. She has played through pain for the game she loves and to her teammates, that is something very admirable that describes her how tough she is. I cannot wait to continue to watch her grow and see what her future holds."
Brianna Burton
Catcher
Cypress, Texas
Burton wrapped up her career having competed in 100 games, while appearing in the starting lineup on 17 occasions. In 2019, she posted an on-base percentage of .471, a mark that led the Cougars. That same season, she saw action in the field for the first time in her career in the win over Texas Southern.
Off the field, Burton has spent time volunteering at the Community of Faith. She graduated this spring with a degree in business administrations and made three appearances on The American All-Academic Team*.
Vesely on Burton:
"Brianna is a player that has grown tremendously in the past four years. She is one of the players who is constantly keeping her teammates laughing and keeping things light. One of my fondest memories of Brianna was when we were driving on the bus in Las Vegas and she started speaking in an accent. She wasn't aware the coaches could hear her and how hard we were laughing! She had the whole team, staff and bus as her audience.
"What I will miss most about Brianna is her love for music and dancing. The times we had music on at practice, during pregame or in between innings, she would be dancing between reps and with her teammates. I enjoyed seeing her impact on keeping the atmosphere from being too serious and seeing her teammates love that time with each other. Throughout her time at Houston, we have seen her grow from a teenager to a young woman, and there is nothing more special as a coach than to see who she is becoming and who she will continue to be."
*Academic accolades for both players are through May 13, 2020.
Follow Houston Softball on Twitter and Instagram at UHCougarSB, and "Like" UHCougarSB on Facebook.
Fans can support the Houston Softball program by joining the Diamond Club. For information about the Diamond Club, click here, or call Cougar Pride at (713) 743-GoUH.
– UHCougars.com –
Players Mentioned
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