Jenna Holcomb Embraces New Journey For Last Year Of Softball

By Caylan Arnold
on June 5, 2020

Jenna Holcomb's four seasons at Tennessee were certainly memorable, as she accumulated numerous awards and left her mark as one of the top outfielders in the college game today. But her time as a Lady Vol has come to an end now, as she announced her decision to transfer to San Diego State for her final season of college softball back in April.

Holcomb, a four-year starter for the Lady Vols, quickly became a fan favorite at Tennessee thanks to her acrobatic plays in the outfield and speed from the left side of the plate. During her freshman season in 2017, Holcomb set a record for the longest hitting streak (10 games) for a freshman in Tennessee's program history. She followed up her impressive feat in 2018 when she beat her own record and recorded a 20-game hitting streak. In 2019, Holcomb's efforts were rewarded, as she was named a Second Team All-SEC and SEC All-Defensive Team selection.

Her senior season with the Lady Vols was cut short due to the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak, but Holcomb wasn't ready to say goodbye to softball just yet. The California native, who played club ball with the So Cal Athletics and earned Academic All-America honors while at Los Alamitos High School in Los Alamitos, Calif., wanted something different for her final season of college softball.

View this post on Instagram
So excited to announce my commitment to pursue my masters and softball career at San Diego State University. I can’t wait to play closer to home for my last year of college softball. Very grateful for this new opportunity. Go Aztecs! ❤️
A post shared by Jenna Holcomb (@jenna_h4) on May 2, 2020 at 6:26pm PDT

That's why San Diego State felt like the perfect fit for Holcomb, who will now be just 90 minutes away from her hometown when she competes next season for the Aztecs.

"I wanted my family to be able to see me play my last year of softball," Holcomb told Softball America. "I am a homebody and my family is very important to me."

Holcomb has plenty to look forward to next season at San Diego State, both on and off the field. Holcomb, who primarily played center and left field for Tennessee, will pursue a master's degree in Mass Communications and Media Studies.

Before beginning her new journey with the Aztecs, Holcomb will graduate with a bachelor's degree in Public Relations from Tennessee this summer and then begin her graduate studies at San Diego State.

"I knew I wanted to go to a program that needed and wanted my speed and slap game," stated Holcomb, who desires to live in San Diego and work for a professional sports organization after completing her master's degree. "I knew SDSU was losing a center fielder, and I felt like it was the perfect opportunity for me."