Rachael Vallese joined NHTI Softball in 2025, bringing a lifelong background in baseball, softball, and coaching experience across multiple sports and levels of competition. Vallese has been involved in the game since age 8, beginning in youth baseball where she was the only girl in her league, before transitioning to softball in middle school. She has remained deeply connected to the game ever since, competing in multiple adult leagues year-round.
A graduate of Hudson High School in Hudson, New York, Vallese went on to attend SUNY Cortland. Although recruited to play collegiate softball, she ultimately chose to step away from that opportunity to pursue roller derby, a demanding sport in which she also competed and coached throughout the Northeast. That experience helped shape her competitive mindset and her long-term commitment to coaching and athlete development.
Before arriving at NHTI Athletics, Vallese spent six years coaching softball, including varsity-level experience, as well as five years coaching roller derby and running clinics throughout the region.
At NHTI, Vallese is focused on creating an empowering and supportive environment where student-athletes can grow both academically and athletically. She is deeply invested in player development and views success not only through wins and losses, but through the growth, confidence, and opportunity created for her athletes within the program.
"I am a supportive coach but I'm going to push you to be the best version of yourself. I pay attention to what is happening in both on and off the field and I will strongly encourage you to meet your full potential," said Vallese. "I work incredibly hard on team culture building and creating meaningful relationships with each player. I will always come early or stay late to help."
