Softball Newcomer Q&A: Kayla Davis
1/28/2019 2:17:00 PM | Softball
We will be posting Q&A's with each of the seven newcomers on this year's Alabama softball team heading into the 2019 season. The fifth is with freshman Kayla Davis, an in-state product from Hueytown, Ala., who played club softball with Georgia Impact-Lewis.
How did you get your start playing softball?
"I started off dancing for 10 years, but I saw a friend of mine outside playing with a softball one day and wanted to try it. I was later than most, I started playing around 10 or 11 years old. It was an instant thing once I tried it. I knew I was done with dance and that I wanted to stay with softball. I loved being outside, being with my teammates and the energy of the game. Your teammates are like your sisters, so I really enjoyed that.
When did you realize you could take softball to the next level?
"Probably around eighth grade. One of my coaches played college softball and told me I had a gift and should think about it. That's when I got really serious about my recruitment and started going to camps and looking at colleges I wanted to go to."
Growing up in Hueytown, was your family Alabama or Auburn fans?
"My mom's side of the family are Auburn fans and my dad's side are Alabama fans. My dad eventually kind of crossed over and went with Auburn. My parents told me they would go with whatever school I decided for on softball though. They wanted me to look at both since they were in-state schools."
What schools did you end up looking at?
"I was looking at a couple but Alabama and Washington both stood out to me. They both were great softball programs and they had a family atmosphere. I came to an Alabama camp around ninth grade just to get a feel for it. Later on, I went back to another camp and really liked it because I got to talk with Coach [Patrick] Murphy a little after the camp. I came on an unofficial visit and after that I knew I would take an offer if I got one. Seeing the campus and the facilities and meeting everyone instead of just basing it all on one camp really helped. They were showing me everything that would help me, not just in softball, but in my career and life. That was really big to me."
What was your family's reaction once you committed?
"Everyone was really happy. I was a late bloomer, so I consider myself an underdog. My parents were really happy because they knew how hard I worked to get there."
So is all the family's Auburn gear in the back of the closet now?
"They said they'd be all-in on Alabama softball. Maybe they'll change on the rest eventually."
How has the acclimation process been for you in the fall?
"It was a big difference. My high school wasn't as fast-paced. It was an adjustment with time management. Having to talk with teachers and academic advisors and setting up time to get things done that needed to be done. Not just showing up on time but sometimes you need to be an hour early to do what you need to do. On the field, it was a change but I enjoy the experience of learning. I really like that all the coaches are willing to help me out and explain everything to me during the process."
What was the experience like playing your first fall game at Rhoads Stadium?
"I was overwhelmed with butterflies, but I really enjoyed the experience. When you have an upperclassman turn around to you and tell you 'I got you, you're good', you just tell yourself to play the game you've always been playing, have fun and enjoy the experience. That just made me feel right at home. We're out here doing what we love to do so there should be no stress."
What are some of your goals for the spring?
"We want to win the SEC and the national championship. We need to stay together as a unit and be true teammates to each other. It's a long season and every once in a while you might get tired of your teammates but everybody has the same goal so we need to stay together. I want to be a good teammate overall and pick someone up when they need it."
What advice would you have for a young softball player who wants to play in college?
"Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something. Don't be afraid to fail in order to try and accomplish your goal. Work hard and make sure to thank the people that help you get there."
