May Female Athlete of the Month: Kiara Selby

Name: Kiara Selby

Sport: Softball

Grade: 11th

Position: Centerfield

Recent performance and team results:

Despite only being a junior, Kiara Selby has proved how much she can impact the game with just one swing of the bat, yet this impact stretches far beyond the hitting aspect of the game.

“I feel like they look up to me because I do play club, [so I have to be] a leader for them,” Selby said.

Playing club softball is another reason why Selby has been so successful this year, leading the team in almost every hitting category.

“It is definitely a different environment than high school. It can take you very very far if you use it the right way,” Selby said.

This year, Selby batted .571, while tallying 36 hits with five of those being HR’s. Everyone who watches can see that she is more than just an extraordinary bat on the field. From almost everywhere in PV you can hear her in centerfield cheering on her teammates.

“One of my best attributes is being able to stay positive,” Selby said. “Whether something is going wrong or [we are in] a situation, I always have to have my teammates back. [The game] is 90% mental.”

Despite the softball team only grabbing four wins from last season, Selby knew they had to forget about the past and focus on the present.

“This year I made sure that we had a different focus,” Selby said. “Even if some of my teammates are older than me, I always made sure we focused on having fun but also getting better and winning.”

Kiara Selby’s Stats 2021-2022 by Smoke Signal

Selby has shown how great of a work ethic she has. She has worked in the offseason by playing club softball over the summer, but also by playing multiple sports, being a member of the basketball team in the fall. She mentions how she uses basketball as a way to stay fit for softball season.

Although softball is her passion now, she originally started playing baseball in the youth leagues. In fourth grade, she switched over the sport she loves now. Originally she did not like softball, but over time she grew to love it. This year’s team has meant something special to Selby.

“[There was] a very positive [vibe],” Selby said. “We were all like a family. There was nothing toxic and we all got along. It was very nice.”

Although Selby has been around the block in regards to where she is playing, all of her experiences have helped her to become the softball player she is today.

“[Playing on different teams] has given me different types of skills and work ethics. Playing with different teams, different people and different kinds of sports all bring it into softball,” Selby said. “[It] made me become a better athlete and person.”

Selby has a special relationship with all of her coaches. She always finds them helpful and she appreciates how open and welcoming they are.

“They are like mothers on the field. I always go to them for everything and [they are always] positive,” Selby said.

Coach Bacsik has nothing but positive words for Selby, and praises her sportsmanship with her teammates and opponents.

“Kiara puts softball first and works hard everyday for herself and her team,” Bacsik said. “She is an outstanding player and has amazing sportsmanship with her teammates and opponents.”

She also looks up to her Coach Dana Amato, especially because Amato has played college softball, which is ultimately Selby’s lifelong dream.

“It is cool to see someone who was in your shoes at one point,” Selby said. “She went really far, [and has helped me achieve my goals].”

Selby looks up to many people, and these people combined have helped her achieve her ultimate goal of becoming a college softball player. She looks up to all of the coaches she has had throughout her career. Additionally, she looks up to both of her parents, who have inspired her along the way.

“My future plans are to get scholarship money to play at a school that is fit for me,” Selby said. “[Eventually, I hope] to make it on the Olympic Team.”