For Ashley Fusaro, it's back to where it all started.

The former all-state Flathead High School catcher has been named the head coach of the Bravettes softball program.

The Kalispell school board approved the hire on Dec. 13.

Fusaro, a 2005 FHS graduate, is a sixth grade math teach at Kalispell Middle School.

"It was a goal of mine to come back here to continue with softball and continue coaching," Fusaro said.

"I didn't quite have it in my mind it would be Flathead, but I hoped it would be."

Fusaro was a second-team, all-state catcher and two-year starter for the Bravettes. She played for the legendary Gene Boyle and Dale Beerman her varsity seasons.

She also played volleyball and basketball at FHS until her junior year.

Fusaro was a four-year starter and two-year captain of the softball team at Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Ind.

She hit over .300 all four years and earned all-conference honors at the NCAA Division III school her sophomore season.

Fusaro graduated in 2009 with a degree in elementary education and a minor in math.

She taught for one year in South Bend, Ind., and was an assistant coach at Saint Mary's for one year before moving back to the Flathead Valley.

This will be the first high school head coaching position for the 24-year-old Fusaro.

She coached seventh grade basketball and volleyball at KMS.

"I always knew I wanted to teach and coach softball," she said.

"When I was in Indiana, I knew I wanted to make it back and coach AA softball.

"I feel very confident going into the season," she said.

"I'm very (vocal), which is one of the reasons I like the catching position. I got to talk throughout the whole game."

Fusaro says it will be a dream come true to wear the Black and Orange colors, again.

"Make it competitive again," she said of her main goal.

She hopes to accomplish that with her "passion" for the sport, while focusing on "fundamentals and having fun."

Fusaro has already organized open gym for her players.

"We've had quite a few girls, like 16," she said attend those sessions.

Fusaro will be assisted by Tasia Dugan, who has been with the program for the last two years, and Heather Schmitt, an assistant for the last three years.

Dugan is a 2004 FHS graduate.

Fusaro's father, Peter, is a principal at Flathead High School.