--Kennedy set for first run in NCAA postseason with Sun Devils/House of Sparky, Andrew Bell/May 16, 2019
Senior (2021)
Freshman at Utah Valley (2018):
Prior to Joining Utah Valley ...
Prepped at Desert Vista High School in Phoenix where she was named a 2017 FloSoftball Top-100 recruit. Kiara earned All-Section and All-Tribune honors while also receiving MVP accolades with her high school squad. She also helped her team to a third-place finish at State and a third-place finish at the TCS Sparkler in 2014. She guided her club team to a Junior Cup Olympic Championship, batting at a .449 clip during her senior year that included 10 home runs, four doubles and 39 RBIs.
Personal:
Kiara, the daughter of David Kennedy and LaTisha Graham, graduated from Desert Vista High School in 2017 and enrolled at Utah Valley for her freshman season. In her free time, she enjoys playing basketball and dancing. She has one sibling, Kahlil.
Q&A with Kiara:
If you could have dinner with anyone from any era, who would it be and where? Lauryn Hill.
One word to describe the feeling of putting on the ASU uniform for the first time: Fly.
You have a chance to pick the brain of any coach of any sport for one hour....who is it? Mike Tomlin.
The most upset you have ever been in a game was: Losing to Florida.
The happiest you have ever been in a game: Hitting my first collegiate home run.
What is your walk-up song? Pop Smoke- Welcome to the Party.
What did like best about your hometown? It feels like summer most of the time and the winter time is just right.
A movie you have watched more than once and will watch again: Lion King 1 & 2.
Past Sun Devil (any sport) you wish you could have watched compete: Barry Bonds
Favorite song from your favorite artist? Every Kind of Way- H.E.R
What chore do you absolutely hate doing? V ups.
What is your favorite form of exercise? Squats.
Who has been the biggest influence on your career? My parents.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? To fly.
If you could meet anyone, past or present, who would it be? Chadwick Boseman.
What did you do growing up that got you into trouble? Ran around in the mall as a kid.
What story does your family always tell about you? As a baby I would get mad when I couldn't pull the couch cushion off and I would throw a fit and beat the couch up.
What's your favorite TV show and why? Spongebob, I can relate being goofy like him.
If you were a character on a TV show, which one would you be? Powderpuff girls- buttercup.
If someone wrote a book about your life, what would they title it? “Resilient"
Name one thing about yourself that most people don't know: That I currently play with distant cousin on the team- Jazmine Hill (I’m so serious).
What is your favorite commercial? Proud Family.
Game/event where you learned the most from? Regionals vs Alabama.
If you could live during any time period when/where would it be and why? 90s , I love the vintage style and the lifestyle of the 90s I’m more into baggy clothes.
What is the most important thing that a parent/grandparent taught you? Never give up , this I promise.
What was the single-biggest challenge of your life? Transferring.
What is your favorite road trip destination? Colorado.
What toppings do you get on your pizza? Everything on it.
Favorite pro athlete you have been around... My cousin, Lincoln Kennedy.
What you know now that you wish you knew in high school... To stretch more and that I should've stuck with yoga, I don't stretch much.
Typically, I am in bed and lights are out at... 9 p.m.
Last book I read: … Does my textbook count? Health care and ethnics? Lol
Last movie I saw: Black is King
What was the first concert you ever attended? Cheetah Girls !
The most played song on my phone (spotify, ipod, etc.) is: Enjoy Yourself- Pop Smoke
My favorite month... July
Something I have not done, but I will... Scuba Dive
What is your favorite holiday and why? My birthday count?
What three words would you use to describe yourself? Outgoing, funny, caring.
If you could be on any game show, which show would you choose? The Price is RIght.
What is the most useful app you have downloaded? Yelp
You have just won the lottery, what is your first purchase? A sports car
What is your favorite sport to watch? Football
What is your favorite food? Mexican
What is your favorite restaurant? Too many to choose from
What is your favorite candy? Snickers or a Crunch bar, it's a tie.
What do you miss the most about being a kid? Recess, the swings.
What is the hardest thing that you have ever done? Walking on at ASU, espically from being a top recruit athlete.
One sentence to describe your family... Crazy.
What is a place that you have always wanted to visit? Singapore
What was the most exciting game you have ever been a part of? All of the games that ended up winning from a walk off.
Dream job: Help take care of people with holistic medicine.
An initiative that means a lot to me is: Black Lives Matter
Senior (2021)
- Redshirted in 2021.
- Took over as the Sun Devils everyday third baseman, starting 26 of her 27 game appearances
- Tied third on the team with five home runs in addition to an impressive .542 slugging percentage
- In 59 at-bats, Kennedy totaled 14 runs on 13 hits with four doubles and 14 RBIs
- Finished the season with 24 putouts and 29 assists for a .914 field percentage, over a .10 percent improvement from the prior season
- Played in 40 games during her first season as a Sun Devil, including 35 appearances in the starting lineup, playing at both third base and DP
- Carded 23 hits in her 84 at-bats to end the season with a .274 average
- Picked up her first hit in the maroon and gold with a double against San Diego on 2/17
- Her first home run came just a few weeks later in a big spot in ASU's win over JMU on 3/7
- Played in all four of ASU's postseason contests, recording three hits and scoring three runs
Freshman at Utah Valley (2018):
- Played in a total of 14 games with three starts on the year (two at DP and one at 3B)
- Hit .083 (1-for-12) with three runs scored and a pair of walks
- Went 1-for-5 with a single in a win over St. John's on March 10
- Scored a trio of runs on the year in pinch running appearances.
Prior to Joining Utah Valley ...
Prepped at Desert Vista High School in Phoenix where she was named a 2017 FloSoftball Top-100 recruit. Kiara earned All-Section and All-Tribune honors while also receiving MVP accolades with her high school squad. She also helped her team to a third-place finish at State and a third-place finish at the TCS Sparkler in 2014. She guided her club team to a Junior Cup Olympic Championship, batting at a .449 clip during her senior year that included 10 home runs, four doubles and 39 RBIs.
Personal:
Kiara, the daughter of David Kennedy and LaTisha Graham, graduated from Desert Vista High School in 2017 and enrolled at Utah Valley for her freshman season. In her free time, she enjoys playing basketball and dancing. She has one sibling, Kahlil.
Q&A with Kiara:
If you could have dinner with anyone from any era, who would it be and where? Lauryn Hill.
One word to describe the feeling of putting on the ASU uniform for the first time: Fly.
You have a chance to pick the brain of any coach of any sport for one hour....who is it? Mike Tomlin.
The most upset you have ever been in a game was: Losing to Florida.
The happiest you have ever been in a game: Hitting my first collegiate home run.
What is your walk-up song? Pop Smoke- Welcome to the Party.
What did like best about your hometown? It feels like summer most of the time and the winter time is just right.
A movie you have watched more than once and will watch again: Lion King 1 & 2.
Past Sun Devil (any sport) you wish you could have watched compete: Barry Bonds
Favorite song from your favorite artist? Every Kind of Way- H.E.R
What chore do you absolutely hate doing? V ups.
What is your favorite form of exercise? Squats.
Who has been the biggest influence on your career? My parents.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? To fly.
If you could meet anyone, past or present, who would it be? Chadwick Boseman.
What did you do growing up that got you into trouble? Ran around in the mall as a kid.
What story does your family always tell about you? As a baby I would get mad when I couldn't pull the couch cushion off and I would throw a fit and beat the couch up.
What's your favorite TV show and why? Spongebob, I can relate being goofy like him.
If you were a character on a TV show, which one would you be? Powderpuff girls- buttercup.
If someone wrote a book about your life, what would they title it? “Resilient"
Name one thing about yourself that most people don't know: That I currently play with distant cousin on the team- Jazmine Hill (I’m so serious).
What is your favorite commercial? Proud Family.
Game/event where you learned the most from? Regionals vs Alabama.
If you could live during any time period when/where would it be and why? 90s , I love the vintage style and the lifestyle of the 90s I’m more into baggy clothes.
What is the most important thing that a parent/grandparent taught you? Never give up , this I promise.
What was the single-biggest challenge of your life? Transferring.
What is your favorite road trip destination? Colorado.
What toppings do you get on your pizza? Everything on it.
Favorite pro athlete you have been around... My cousin, Lincoln Kennedy.
What you know now that you wish you knew in high school... To stretch more and that I should've stuck with yoga, I don't stretch much.
Typically, I am in bed and lights are out at... 9 p.m.
Last book I read: … Does my textbook count? Health care and ethnics? Lol
Last movie I saw: Black is King
What was the first concert you ever attended? Cheetah Girls !
The most played song on my phone (spotify, ipod, etc.) is: Enjoy Yourself- Pop Smoke
My favorite month... July
Something I have not done, but I will... Scuba Dive
What is your favorite holiday and why? My birthday count?
What three words would you use to describe yourself? Outgoing, funny, caring.
If you could be on any game show, which show would you choose? The Price is RIght.
What is the most useful app you have downloaded? Yelp
You have just won the lottery, what is your first purchase? A sports car
What is your favorite sport to watch? Football
What is your favorite food? Mexican
What is your favorite restaurant? Too many to choose from
What is your favorite candy? Snickers or a Crunch bar, it's a tie.
What do you miss the most about being a kid? Recess, the swings.
What is the hardest thing that you have ever done? Walking on at ASU, espically from being a top recruit athlete.
One sentence to describe your family... Crazy.
What is a place that you have always wanted to visit? Singapore
What was the most exciting game you have ever been a part of? All of the games that ended up winning from a walk off.
Dream job: Help take care of people with holistic medicine.
An initiative that means a lot to me is: Black Lives Matter