Kaylee Pond

Best of the last batch

To ASU, In just one year, a place that was once unfamiliar became a home. Thank you, Sun Devil Nation, for welcoming me with open arms. You gave me the opportunity to spend my final season playing freely, competing alongside an incredible group of women, and being part of something truly special. I am honored to have worn maroon and gold, but even more grateful for the friendships and memories that came with it. We accomplished greatness through sacrifice and built incredible bonds along the way. Watching this group navigate adversity, grow together, and become stronger because of it was one of the greatest privileges of my career.❤️🔱 And to softball, How do you say goodbye to something that has been a part of you for so long? In six years, college softball gave me some of my greatest joys and some of my hardest lessons. There were moments when the road ahead felt uncertain, when injuries, setbacks, and adversity seemed determined to write the ending for me. Instead, those moments introduced me to people who lifted me when I couldn’t stand on my own, who reminded me who I was when I forgot, and who believed in me even when I struggled to believe in myself. Because of them, I learned that resilience is not built alone. It is built through community, love, and the people willing to walk beside you through life’s hardest seasons. Most of all, I’m grateful that my love for this game never wavered and nothing could take away the joy I felt every time I stepped onto the field. The passion and drive I had for this sport never left. Instead, adversity only deepened my appreciation for every opportunity I was given to compete. The game never owed me anything, yet it gave me everything: lifelong friendships, unforgettable memories, perspective, and a version of myself that I am proud to be. Moving forward I carry the desire to be for others what so many people were to me: someone who believes, encourages, empowers, and helps those achieve their own version of greatness. The final out will always sting a little, and that’s the price we pay for loving something so deeply. And what a privilege it has been to love this game. Forever grateful🤍💛 #42out