University of Connecticut Athletics
Softball Assistant Coach Giselle Juarez-Presley Set Represent Puerto Rico
7/15/2026 2:55:00 PM | Softball
STORRS, Conn. – UConn softball assistant coach Giselle Juarez-Presley will represent her native Puerto Rico this summer at two international events, competing in the WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Finals in Lima Peru, followed by the Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
"It is an absolute honor to represent Puerto Rico and wear this jersey again," said Juarez-Presley. "Every time I step on the field, I'm not only playing for myself, but for my family—especially my grandfather, who is from the island. Ever since I told him I was joining the national team, it has brought him so much joy. He grew up as a huge baseball fan, but now he's become one of my biggest softball supporters, always asking when our next games are and following our journey. Being able to represent the island and my family means more than I can put into words. It's also an opportunity to continue the journey we started before falling just short of our Olympic goal in 2020."
This summer marks Juarez-Presley's third opportunity to represent Puerto Rico on the international stage. She first donned the Puerto Rico uniform in 2018 at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Barranquilla, Colombia, where she helped lead her team to the gold medal. Later that year, she also competed for Puerto Rico at the WBSC Women's Softball World Cup in Japan. Most recently, Juarez-Presley was selected to Puerto Rico's 2019 Olympic Qualifying roster, but an injury prevented her from competing.
"The opportunity to compete alongside this group for something bigger than ourselves is what excites me most," said Juarez-Presley. "In 2020, we came so close to qualifying for the Olympics, and in 2019, my injury kept me from helping the team during a critical qualification period. To have another opportunity to contribute, to be back in the grind with my teammates, and to chase the same dream together is incredibly special. The Olympics are the pinnacle of our sport, and it would be an unbelievable honor to represent Puerto Rico on that stage."
Juarez-Presley recently completed her second season as UConn's pitching coach under head coach Laura Valentino. Since her arrival, she has helped guide the Huskies to back-to-back BIG EAST Tournament Championships, while developing four All-BIG EAST pitchers, and two first-time NFCA All-Region selections in Payton Kinney and Jessica Walter.
A decorated collegiate pitcher, Juarez-Presley played three seasons (2019-21) at the University of Oklahoma, leading the Sooners to a national championship in 2021. She earned Most Outstanding Player honors at the 2021 Women's College World Series and was a two-time NFCA First Team All-American (2018, 2019) and the 2019 BIG 12 Pitcher of the Year. Juarez-Presley finished her collegiate career with an 85-19 record and 823 strikeouts in the circle.
When asked what it will be like to step back into the circle and compete again, Juarez-Presley stated, "I think there will definitely be some nerves, just like there are at the start of every new season. But I've learned that nerves mean you care. My biggest focus will be remembering my "why" and who I'm playing for. That's something I preach to the athletes I coach every day—stay present, trust your preparation, and compete one pitch at a time. It will be an incredible honor to wear Puerto Rico across my chest again as we continue working toward our ultimate goal of qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games in Oklahoma City."
