The softball program at Napa Valley College has been less than stable over the past 10 years.

There has been little consistency since the 1980s and early '90s, when Robert Maglione ran the show and led the Storm to a 465-224 overall record and six Bay Valley Conference titles.

Things are about to change for the better, if Michelle Hobbs has anything to say about it.

Hobbs was officially named as the Storm's new head softball coach on Friday, Jan. 13. She plans to stay at Napa Valley and start at the bottom to create a competitive softball program that the college was once known for.

"I want to be here and build a program and develop something," Hobbs said. "It's a change for (the players) to get to know me and a change for me to get to know them. I really enjoy teaching. Being able to do both is great."

She will teach beginning/intermediate volleyball and weight-lifting at Napa Valley and is only the second fulltime head coach at the college, along with baseball head coach Bob Freschi.

Hobbs grew up in Sunnyvale and graduated from St. Francis High School. She was a three-sport varsity athlete in high school, sharing time between volleyball in the fall, basketball in the winter and softball in the spring.

Hobbs has spent the past three years as head coach for various high schools in the Southern California area. She graduated from Chico State in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in physical education, where she played softball and volleyball for four years.

The next year she earned her physical education credential from San Diego State University. Then in 2005 she graduated with a master's in P.E. from Azusa Pacific University.

Ever since she was a little girl she knew she wanted to coach at the college level.

"That's what I've always wanted," Hobbs said. "I wanted to get my master's because I wanted to be at this level. I've wanted to refine their skills, not necessarily teach them. It's like a dream come true. It's great."

The 25-year-old coach held the team's first practice on Wednesday and is expecting 12 to 14 women to play for her.

She's only spent a little time with her team but is optimistic with the talent she's seen.

"She's got great skills and a great glove," Hobbs said of Adina Cordellos. "She's a go-getter and doesn't complain. (Angela Lyon) is a great outfielder. She has a very accurate arm. (Aaron Andleman) is very talkative. She wants girls to never give up. She's very positive and competitive."

Hobbs also commented on her team captain, Calista Dunn, saying she was "a great leader."

Hobbs admits the transition has been a little hectic but she is thrilled to have such support from the college's athletic department. She credits physical education division chair Christy Kling and interim athletic director Nadine Wade-Gravett with helping her settle in.

Ron Smith will continue as Storm assistant coach alongside Hobbs. Smith is also an assistant athletic trainer for the college.

Hobbs likes to play slow-pitch softball in her spare time and is focused on staying healthy and active. She is excited to be coaching and teaching full time and takes the challenge seriously.

"I'm a competitive coach," Hobbs said. "I like to do things a certain way. But I like to have fun. That's why you play. It's my passion. If you do something you love, you hope that other people will see that and love it too."

Hobbs hasn't had any on-field time with the team, just drills on the tennis courts due to the recent wet weather. She is confident in her team's ability but doesn't know anything about the BVC's other teams.

She's playing catch-up because of when she was hired.

"What I've been told is that we have a pretty good team," Hobbs said. "We should be fairly competitive. And if not, we will be in a few years once I build a program."