Before Greenbrier knew her as Coach Holland, Belmont knew her as Missy Barbee.
Melissa Holland attended Davidson Academy before playing college softball at Belmont. Today, she teaches at Greenbrier High School and leads the volleyball program. Her path from high school to college athletics is part of the story today’s Bobcats get to see up close. 119
A Hall of Fame team
On October 1, 2026, Belmont inducted its 1994 softball squad into the Athletic Hall of Fame as a Legendary Team. Holland, listed in Belmont’s records as Melissa Barbee and Missy Barbee, was a member of that team. 124
In just the program’s third season, the Rebelettes finished 42–5, won conference and district championships, and reached the NAIA College World Series. Their 0.72 team earned-run average led the nation. Belmont returned to the national tournament in 1995. 25
Her name is still in the book
Belmont’s record book credits Barbee with 57 hits in 160 at-bats in 1995. That calculates to a .356 batting average. The book also lists her career average at .322—numbers that remain part of Belmont’s softball history. 4
A familiar face for today’s Bobcats
Holland graduated from Belmont in 1996 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting. She has been with Robertson County Schools since 2004, serving as a teacher, special education assistant and reading interventionist. In 2009, she earned a Master of Curriculum and Instruction in elementary education from Tennessee State University. 12
At Greenbrier, she has taught Algebra I. 8
“…many students come back to her and thank her for her high expectations”
Today’s Bobcats don’t have to look far to find someone who has competed at the next level. They can find her in their own school.
Congratulations, Coach Holland, and Belmont’s 1994 softball team.
