Kendra Cody and Leslie Kersting, the only seniors on this year’s softball team, have both been active in Baker University athletics throughout their college careers.
Kersting was a member of the Baker volleyball team for three years and is entering her fourth year on the softball team. She said being a two-sport athlete had many advantages.
“I think I kind of had the best of both worlds,” Kersting said. “I got to be in season all the time, so I never had to be offseason. I don’t think it was any more difficult than playing one sport; it just made me work harder.”
Cody, who played both volleyball and softball for four years, also said playing two sports came with many advantages. She said playing both allowed her to continue doing what she loved.
“You don’t have to condition and do offseason workouts,” Cody said. “I think it has been fun getting to know more girls and not having to give up my sports. In high school I played volleyball, softball and basketball. So coming to college I only had to give up one sport.” Though being a two-sport athlete can conflict and make it harder to excel for some students, Kersting said she feels that the pressure made her more successful.
“I don’t think playing two sports really hurt me,” Kersting said. “You have to put in the extra work to make up for it. Sometimes I felt like I was being replaced in the offseason, but the feeling made me work that much harder.”
Cody has found success in both sports, which can be seen through the titles she has received throughout the years.
“Freshman year for softball, I was freshman of the year for (Heart of America Athletic) conference. I’ve been first team all-conference for three years, and my freshman and sophomore years I made the all-region team,” Cody said. “Also, in volleyball I was honorable mention all-conference this year.”
Despite the two seniors’ past success, this season is their last chance to show everyone what they’re made of and what four years of working hard can do.
“I want it to be a good year. I wanted us to be one of the top contenders in conference and to definitely make it to regionals, then hopefully past that,” Cody said. “And for me, I hope to be all-conference again and make the all-region team.”
With the end of her college career quickly approaching, Cody said she is realizing she will miss the sports that she has played for so long.
“I will miss the competitiveness. You can always play on a rec team for volleyball and softball, but that competitive edge won’t ever be there again, along the level of play,” Cody said.
Kersting said she will miss the game as well and is hoping her last season will be one to remember.
“I think I’ll miss the competition and being part of a team,” Kersting said. “I’m hoping to have my best year and just really enjoy myself and have a great time with the team. Hopefully, this year will be the one that I will have really great memories from.”
America Athletic) conference. I’ve been first team all-conference for three years, and my freshman and sophomore years I made the all-region team,” Cody said. “Also, in volleyball I was honorable mention all-conference this year.”
Despite the two seniors’ past success, this season is their last chance to show everyone what they’re made of and what four years of working hard can do.
“I want it to be a good year. I wanted us to be one of the top contenders in conference and to definitely make it to regionals, then hopefully past that,” Cody said. “And for me, I hope to be all-conference again and make the all-region team.”
With the end of her college career quickly approaching, Cody said she is realizing she will miss the sports that she has played for so long.
“I will miss the competitiveness. You can always play on a rec team for volleyball and softball, but that competitive edge won’t ever be there again, along the level of play,” Cody said.