Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Images by Ryan McGill
Ali Kelly grew up watching her sister Samantha compete in sports, tagging along to games and soaking up every moment from the stands. It wasn’t long before she was out there herself, first trying her hand at gymnastics and softball, then ultimately choosing the field over the mat at age eight.
“I realized I had to pick one and go all in,” she says. “I chose softball, and I’ve just fallen more in love with it over the years.”
Now a senior at Sumiton Christian School, Ali is a three-sport athlete, competing in volleyball, basketball, and softball. But the diamond is where she’s found her calling. This fall, she’ll continue her athletic career at Bevill State Community College. Her .550 batting average and 66 strikeouts in 69 innings pitched tell part of the story, but Ali’s impact goes far beyond stats. She’s a natural competitor who thrives in team environments.
“I didn’t want to be in competition with the people I practice with,” she says. “I like being part of a team, not having opponents.”
That mindset shaped her commitment to growth, even when the path got tough. During her sophomore year, a collision at home plate led to two herniated discs in her neck. She spent nearly a year sidelined, watching from the dugout.
“Being injured really makes you grow closer to the game,” she says. “I told myself, ‘If you can get through this, that’s the hard part.’”
Her recovery wasn’t just physical; it was mental. Ali credits her parents and sister with keeping her grounded and motivated.
“They always reminded me that once you hit rock bottom, there’s nowhere to go but up. The elevator can only go so low,” she says.
That perspective has shaped Ali’s approach to life on and off the field. She juggles school with sports by compartmentalizing—keeping schoolwork at school and practices focused.
Though her eyes are on her future at Bevill, and eventually a Division 1 school, she’s just as excited about building a life beyond sports. Ali hopes to earn her cosmetology and real estate licenses before pursuing a business degree.
“My dream is to have a big family, a stable job, and be able to support my children,” she says.
For now, though, she’s savoring the last few months of high school, the friendships formed at practices, and the occasional slip-n-slide day organized by her coaches.
“Even at practice, it can just feel like we’re hanging out,” she says. “We’re not working against each other, we’re working together toward the same goal.” WL
