Kelly Patton-Holder was a four-year letter winner in both volleyball and softball, as well as a two-year letter winner in basketball. In 1984 she received the prestigious Kathryn E. Little award for her efforts in Bluffton athletics. In that year she was a member of the conference champion softball team. For her leadership abilities she was named captain to both the volleyball and softball teams in her senior season.
Patton-Holder was twice named to the All-WBCC volleyball team and in 1983 was named to the NAIA District 22 volleyball team. She was a member of the 1982-83 women’s basketball team which has been enshrined in the Bluffton Hall of Fame. In 1983 Patton-Holder had one of the best seasons in Bluffton volleyball history, leading the team in hitting percentage (.845), digs (170), serving percentage (.961) and service reception percentage (.814).
After graduating from Bluffton, Patton-Holder taught health and physical education at Lexington High School in Lexington, Ohio, while coaching the varsity volleyball and softball teams. In her volleyball coaching career she has compiled an impressive 225-91 record and has never had a losing season in her 14 seasons at the helm. She has twice been named coach-of-the-year.
She has been the chairman of the health and physical education department, a Student Council advisor, a Family Life Committee member at the United Methodist Church of the Cross and teaches Sunday school.
