Freshman outside hitter Kendall Beshear comes from a generational background of Division I success.
She shares her athleticism with her mother, Elizabeth, a former collegiate athlete who has inspired her game.
Kendall’s mom is also one of her prominent supporters as she takes on this next level of Division I competition, something Elizabeth is well familiar with, having lived the experience of competing at the Division I level.
Elizabeth sat on the bleachers for every game she could attend, knowing the pressure all too well, having faced similar moments during her softball career in college.
But this was different- this was her daughter’s journey, and all she could do was watch and trust that the inspiration and lessons passed down would guide her daughter through the competition.
The influence of a Hall of Fame parent
Going into college guided by the values her mother instilled, Kendall learned the significance of being confident in herself.
Elizabeth emphasized the importance of Kendall trusting in her athletic abilities and knowing she is where she is today because of how hard she has worked.
“As an athlete, I needed to learn how to believe in myself, and I told her the same thing,” Elizabeth said. “I told her that I understand those struggles of really lacking confidence, but you need to trust yourself.”
Sharing a connection beyond typical support and being able to relate to one another, athlete to athlete, has played a pivotal role in Kendall’s early career.
For athletes, having someone who has navigated the same rigorous path offers a perspective rooted in firsthand knowledge of the emotional and physical challenges of being a Division I player. Kendall’s mother is the perfect embodiment of that support.
As a softball player who played at a Division I school, Elizabeth understands the highs and lows of performing at such a high level.
She translates the knowledge gained from her experiences and has passed it on to her daughter to help her navigate her athletic journey.
Elizabeth wasn’t the average softball player either. She played at Central Michigan University, where she was later inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.
Elizabeth ended her career at Central Michigan with the record for games played (235), RBIs (125) and tied for home runs (16).
Growing up inspired by her mother’s career, Kendall is now forging her own path as a Division I volleyball player at Cal Poly.
“She is my biggest fan and best friend,” Kendall said. “I look up to her in so many different ways, so being able to share that Division I experience is something I’m so proud of.”
Unlike her mother, Kendall never played softball. Instead, she grew up playing volleyball and was coached by her father, Matthew.
Elizabeth enjoyed watching Kendall play a sport outside of her own experience as it allowed her to appreciate the game from a new lens and celebrate her daughter’s journey in volleyball.
“Very early on, I knew she’d be an athlete,” Elizabeth said. “We didn’t push her from an early age to be a Division I athlete, but she was always physical and could pick things up quickly.”
In high school, Kendall was named the 2024 Palos Verdes High School female Athlete of the Year while leading CIF Southern Section Divisions I and II in total kills (600) and kills per set (5.4). She was also an Under Armour All-American her senior year.
Kendall was a highly touted three-star recruit who had the opportunity to attend other major schools, including Princeton, Yale, USC and many others.
“I had a lot of phone calls with many different coaches, but nothing really amounted to the way I was able to connect with Jason and Caroline,” Kendall said.
Kendall’s decision to attend Cal Poly was deeply influenced by her desire to find a school that offered both a supportive community and the chance to make a significant impact, much like her mother’s experience at Central Michigan.
Cal Poly’s head volleyball coach, Caroline Walters, recalled that Kendall’s mom had joined them on the recruiting trip.
“[Kendall] said, ‘I want a small school where I can stand out, where we can do something special and make history,'” Walters said. “I’m excited to hopefully provide that opportunity for her in the next few years.”
During the recruiting trip, Elizabeth accompanied Kendall to help her develop an understanding of the environment and witness firsthand the opportunities and atmosphere that Cal Poly had to offer her daughter.
“Cal Poly, in a way, feels similar to Central Michigan,” Elizabeth said. “When we got there, it felt like a family, and the coaches really cared. It felt comfortable.”
Standing out at Cal Poly
Only being a freshman, Kendall is already making a name for herself among her teammates and competitors in the Big West.
In her collegiate debut against Auburn University, Kendall acquired 10 kills and seven digs, following behind Cal Poly’s top-scoring leader in kills, senior redshirt Tommi Stockham.
Kendall has recorded a career-high 17 kills against Wichita State, the second-highest number of kills recorded by a player this season.
“Usually, it takes quite a few years for players to settle in and remain calm and confident on the court,” Walters said. “But we saw that from day one from Kendall, from practicing and double-days.”
Developing her role as a freshman into key matches for Cal Poly Volleyball has been a testament to Kendall’s adaptability.
It has allowed her to significantly contribute to the team’s success early in her collegiate career, already establishing herself as one of its rising stars.
Creating her own path
As for Kendall, she says she doesn’t feel pressured to live up to anything other than her own standards and the goals she has set for herself.
Kendall says she has the natural drive to want to be great, and her athletic and academic determination is setting her up for future success as she makes her way up to the next level.
Elizabeth, a member of the class of 1999, has her picture proudly displayed in the basketball arena and softball field at Central Michigan University, recognized for the exceptional athletic talent she brought to the softball program.
“That’s super cool for me to be like, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s my mom,’ but at the same time, it’s inspiring me to work hard,” Kendall said. “I don’t feel like I have to achieve that, but it would be so cool to achieve that one day.”
