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Longwood University Softball Head Coach Kathy Riley will take a leave of absence from the program for the remainder of the 2020 season, the university’s athletics department announced Wednesday, Feb. 19.

The team will play the rest of the season under the collective leadership of assistant coaches Kayla Miller, Emily Murphy and Carly Adams.

“As Coach Riley takes the time she needs to address a private matter, our program will be in excellent hands with Coach Miller, Coach Murphy and Coach Adams leading our student-athletes through the remainder of this season,” Longwood Athletics Director Michelle Meadows said.

The Herald asked Longwood’s athletics department for a comment from Riley and Longwood Assistant Vice President for Athletics Communications Chris Cook responded.

“This is a private matter, and we will not comment further at this time,” he said. “The focus of the department and coaching staff is to continue to support the softball team throughout the 2020 season.”

The Lancers, who Riley led to their fifth Big South Championship last season, will continue their 2020 campaign at the University of Central Florida Invitational, which runs Feb. 28-March 1 in Orlando, Florida. Longwood (3-6) will continue weekend play in Florida through March 8.