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149 F ollowing her best offensive season at the plate, University of Iowa senior Holly Hoffman was recognized with a pair of postseason accolades in May. e Osceola, Indiana, native earned second-team All-Big Ten honors May 11 before garnering third- team All-Midwest Region laurels May 19. Both honors were the first of Hoffman's career. "I'm proud of Holly for being recognized by the outside world," said UI head coach Marla Looper. "It takes respect from a lot of peers in the Big Ten to do that. She went out and played the game every day. It wasn't an easy road, but she took it all in stride and knew that it was all for helping her team." "It's nice to get these awards, because they signify how much time and effort I put into this sport," said Hoffman. "My parents were there throughout my career. I could always count on seeing my dad in the stands. is award means a lot to my family and me because they helped me get to this point." Hoffman, a catcher, enjoyed her best offensive year at the plate this season thanks to a consistent mental approach. e senior registered single- season career-highs with a team-best .304 batting average, 41 hits, 11 doubles, two triples, and four home runs over 46 games. She hit .379 in conference action and registered 25 of her 41 hits in Big Ten play. In the first game of a doubleheader against Nebraska on April 6, Hoffman went 4-for- 4 with two doubles and two singles. e four hits and two doubles both marked a career high. "is season, I focused on having a stronger mental approach at the plate," said Hoffman. "In past years, I struggled with having an aggressive and consistent mental game. is year, I wanted to play aggressively and confidently and I think it paid off." In her career, Hoffman started 192 games, including 181 behind the plate. She caught runners stealing 41 times and was responsible for calling the pitches, including those during redshirt junior Shayla Starkenburg's no-hitter Feb. 17, 2015. Although Hoffman's career as a student-athlete has come to an end, she's thankful for the time spent at the University of Iowa. "I'll miss the city, the school, and the fans," said Hoffman. "Coming from Indiana, I felt accepted and at home living in Iowa City. e teachers and classes have helped prepare me for the next phase of my life. ere's nothing in this world like Hawkeye fans, and I was grateful to have many of them support me throughout my career." Hoffman is continuing to use her soball skills to give lessons in Indiana, and she was recently accepted into the master's program for public health at Indiana Wesleyan University.