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Aldine Softball Head Coach Leigha Doyle
ALL IN: Doyle has Aldine Softball trending
“After graduating from college, I knew that softball was going to be a part of my life,” Doyle said. “Giving back to the game, which gave so much to me, is everything. I can honestly say that I love what I do.”
Doyle starred at Atascocita High School before beginning her collegiate career at Galveston College. She then transferred to Southern Arkansas University, where she started two seasons at shortstop and earned NFCA Division II Scholar Athlete All-American honors.
After college, Doyle kicked off her coaching journey as an assistant at C.E. King High School, eventually landing her first head coaching job at Aldine.
“I just love the atmosphere at Aldine High,” she said. “I love the administration, but mostly I love working with my girls. They’re so fun and coachable. They have a great bond, which is something I really try to promote. We all have the same mindset—to play hard, turn some heads, and win games.”
2024-25 Aldine High School SoftballBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
As a softball lifer, Doyle has shaped her coaching style by drawing from her own experiences as a player.
“I’ve had some great coaches—and some bad ones,” she laughed. “Honestly, you learn the most from the bad ones, by figuring out how not to run a program.
“My coach, Corey Lyon at Southern Arkansas, has been a huge mentor for me. I know if I ever have a question, he’ll always pickup the phone. He really gave me the confidence to step into this profession.”
For Doyle, her biggest lesson as a young coach comes down to one word: trust.
“Building relationships and trust with your players is what I believe in,” she said. “If that’s established, your program will be in a good place. Good or bad, you have to be honest with your players. If that bond is there, they’ll run through a wall for you—and they know I’ll go to the mat for them, too.”
Wise beyond her years, Doyle is helping turn Aldine Softball into something special.
Aldine Davis' Liliana Mendoza
TOUGH BUT FAIR: Mendoza's journey to becoming one of Davis Softball's most dependable weapons
One thing remains undeniable: her presence on the field is felt.
“Honestly, it hasn’t hit me yet,” Mendoza said. “There’s still time left to play here. I’m hoping to commit somewhere so I can continue playing after I graduate, but I know when my last game comes, it’s going to be very emotional.”
Mendoza’s softball journey began in an unexpected place—on the baseball diamond.
“I started playing baseball when I was 10,” she shared. “Most of my family is really into baseball, so I figured I’d try it out. I played Little League, then transitioned to Select ball.”
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
It wasn’t until her sophomore year at Davis that she officially made the switch to softball—a decision that would define her athletic career.
“At some point, I realized that this was what I wanted to do,” she said.
Her versatility has been key to her success. While Mendoza is a natural middle infielder, she’s spent most of her time anchoring the defense at shortstop.
“I’ve always played middle infield, so I’ve gotten pretty used to it and the role I have,” she said. “I like the position because you need to be aggressive and reactive—there are a lot of balls hit that way.”
As the team’s top hitter, Mendoza has been a driving force for the Falcons this season, even as the squad continues to rebuild.
But her value isn’t just in her stats—it’s also in her leadership and respect for the program.
“The coaching staff here has been my favorite part about playing for Davis,” she said. “They’re tough but fair. They invest so much in helping us grow as players and prepare us for the next level. They push us because they know it’s going to pay off.”
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
While Mendoza remains focused on the present, her dream of playing college softball is never far from her thoughts.
“It would mean I’ve taken the sport as far as I could,” she said. “I think it would make my parents proud. All the hard work, the practices, the traveling—it would all be worth it. Even if I don’t get to play, I still plan on going to college, but it would be a great experience to have.”
For now, Mendoza is making the most of her final chapter with the Falcons. No matter what the future holds, her legacy at Davis is already secured.