Softball Sisterhood Wrapped In Maroon And White
November 08, 2024 | Softball
STARKVILLE – No matter what challenges life may place on the road to success, the bond between sisters is unbreakable.
That sentiment couldn't be more true for the talented siblings that have geared up in the Maroon and White uniform for the Mississippi State softball program.
For Kiarra Sells and Kalani Sells, their passion for softball and MSU has only strengthened their bond as siblings as they are now reunited and will compete together at State for the first time this season.
"It definitely means a lot to be here with my sister because for my junior and senior year of high school, it was kind of lonely because I usually had her," Kalani said. "[When] I'm struggling, I would go to her and ask what I'm doing wrong and what I need to fix. Now that I'm here with her again and get to play with her for two years, it definitely feels great."
Only two years apart, the Sells sisters have played softball since they were little kids. Kalani's passion for the sport was ignited from watching her sister play. From her days watching her sister play at a young age, Kalani always looked up to her and grew to love the sport from the day she was old enough to get on the field herself.
Both sisters were extremely talented and possessed the athletic attributes to make it to the collegiate level if desired. Kalani competed alongside Kiarra until her older sibling graduated and signed with MSU heading into the 2023 season.
The Jasper, Texas, natives could have gone anywhere in the country to play collegiate softball, but the pair chose State because of the family-oriented environment that head coach Samantha Ricketts has fostered with the program, which is focused on making every player feel welcomed and supported as a person first and a player second.
"We come from a very family-oriented environment," Kiarra said. "We're always doing things together and coming here felt like that. It felt like a place that I would like to call home. It's a small town just like where we're from so it was really nice."
State's softball program has witnessed numerous sisters compete in the Maroon and White. Nine pairs of siblings have now played softball for the Bulldogs, eight of which played together at some point during their collegiate careers. In four of six seasons under Ricketts, MSU has had sisters on the roster.
Before being members of the same team at State, the siblings were, as you could imagine, very competitive with each other. The pair would spend games trying to find ways to one-up the other, not in a bad way, but with a competitive spirit to help them become the very best players they could be on the field.
This year, Kalani decided to follow in her sister's footsteps and become a Bulldog. That wasn't the only reason she decided to further her education and collegiate career at State, however.
The psychology program attracted the talented freshman, along with her big sister having two years under her belt to inform her of the chemistry and passion that the MSU staff, players and fans possess in Starkville.
"When I came with my sister for her official visit, I definitely fell in love with how the school is run," Kalani said. "[The] family environment and how everyone is so supportive of each other and the staff is always around to help, no matter what it is."
As soon as Kalani made her decision, you couldn't wipe the smile off Kiarra's face. Once again, the duo was reunited through softball.
"My first two years here, I am not going to lie, it was tough," Kiarra said. "It was really tough, especially not having somebody here with me. You have your teammates, you got everybody to lean on, but you still want that family member there. Ever since she came here, it's made a lot of things easier. I feel like I'm able to be free. It's been incredible, and it's a blessing."
Now that Kiarra has two years of experience under her belt competing in front of the Bulldog faithful, Kalani feels at ease knowing she has her sister by her side through the ups and downs that adjusting to life in college and playing softball on the next level can present.
"She's been through this already, and I have her here to help me get through this," Kalani said. "Whenever I'm super nervous or whenever the doubt starts rolling in, I have her to cheer me up and talk me through everything."
That sentiment couldn't be more true for the talented siblings that have geared up in the Maroon and White uniform for the Mississippi State softball program.
For Kiarra Sells and Kalani Sells, their passion for softball and MSU has only strengthened their bond as siblings as they are now reunited and will compete together at State for the first time this season.
"It definitely means a lot to be here with my sister because for my junior and senior year of high school, it was kind of lonely because I usually had her," Kalani said. "[When] I'm struggling, I would go to her and ask what I'm doing wrong and what I need to fix. Now that I'm here with her again and get to play with her for two years, it definitely feels great."
Only two years apart, the Sells sisters have played softball since they were little kids. Kalani's passion for the sport was ignited from watching her sister play. From her days watching her sister play at a young age, Kalani always looked up to her and grew to love the sport from the day she was old enough to get on the field herself.
Both sisters were extremely talented and possessed the athletic attributes to make it to the collegiate level if desired. Kalani competed alongside Kiarra until her older sibling graduated and signed with MSU heading into the 2023 season.
The Jasper, Texas, natives could have gone anywhere in the country to play collegiate softball, but the pair chose State because of the family-oriented environment that head coach Samantha Ricketts has fostered with the program, which is focused on making every player feel welcomed and supported as a person first and a player second.
"We come from a very family-oriented environment," Kiarra said. "We're always doing things together and coming here felt like that. It felt like a place that I would like to call home. It's a small town just like where we're from so it was really nice."
State's softball program has witnessed numerous sisters compete in the Maroon and White. Nine pairs of siblings have now played softball for the Bulldogs, eight of which played together at some point during their collegiate careers. In four of six seasons under Ricketts, MSU has had sisters on the roster.
Before being members of the same team at State, the siblings were, as you could imagine, very competitive with each other. The pair would spend games trying to find ways to one-up the other, not in a bad way, but with a competitive spirit to help them become the very best players they could be on the field.
This year, Kalani decided to follow in her sister's footsteps and become a Bulldog. That wasn't the only reason she decided to further her education and collegiate career at State, however.
The psychology program attracted the talented freshman, along with her big sister having two years under her belt to inform her of the chemistry and passion that the MSU staff, players and fans possess in Starkville.
"When I came with my sister for her official visit, I definitely fell in love with how the school is run," Kalani said. "[The] family environment and how everyone is so supportive of each other and the staff is always around to help, no matter what it is."
As soon as Kalani made her decision, you couldn't wipe the smile off Kiarra's face. Once again, the duo was reunited through softball.
"My first two years here, I am not going to lie, it was tough," Kiarra said. "It was really tough, especially not having somebody here with me. You have your teammates, you got everybody to lean on, but you still want that family member there. Ever since she came here, it's made a lot of things easier. I feel like I'm able to be free. It's been incredible, and it's a blessing."
Now that Kiarra has two years of experience under her belt competing in front of the Bulldog faithful, Kalani feels at ease knowing she has her sister by her side through the ups and downs that adjusting to life in college and playing softball on the next level can present.
"She's been through this already, and I have her here to help me get through this," Kalani said. "Whenever I'm super nervous or whenever the doubt starts rolling in, I have her to cheer me up and talk me through everything."
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