CHAPEL HILL – Carolina softball head coach Donna J. Papa is pleased to announce the return of Tar Heel Aquilla “Kiwi” Mateen to the Carolina softball program as the new director of sports performance.

 

“I’m thrilled to have Kiwi Mateen James back on our staff,” Papa said.

 

“Kiwi has been a player, a volunteer assistant and a former director of sports performance for our program. We’re fortunate to have someone with her knowledge base of the game and the skill set she brings to execute this position. She will help us navigate through scouting and technology as well as other important areas of our program.”

 

After graduating in 2016 from Carolina with a degree in exercise and sports science, Mateen served as the volunteer assistant for the Heels from 2016-18. She then returned to the staff from for the 2019 season as the director of sports performance.

 

“I’m excited to be back in the role as director of sport performance,” Mateen James said. “I’ve worked with Coach Papa, MJ and Chelsey over the years and I feel right at home. I think they’ve put together a great team and I can’t wait to be a part of the journey this season.”

 

A 2014 All-ACC Second Team selection, Mateen James appeared in 214 career games, making 186 starts in the outfield. She finished her career in the top 10 in triples (11) and runs scored (142), with 12 doubles and 44 RBIs. The speedy outfielder swiped the fifth-most bases in program history, going 70-for-81 (.864), and helped the Tar Heels set a new team record for single-season stolen bases in 2016 with a personal-best 26 steals as a senior.

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