SAN JOSE, CALIF.— Kaylani Marie Lim has continued to navigate herself throughout the ups and downs throughout high school, and has accomplished some big things along the way!

Kaylani Lim is a senior here at Silver Creek High school, and has achieved more than ever! Wanting to make the most out of her high school experience, she has involved and engaged herself throughout many activities, both in and out of school, leading her to fulfillment and success. Even though Lim encountered a series of challenges, such as moving to Las Vegas after her sophomore year of high school, she has continued to manage and balance her lifestyle.

Lim’s dedication and work ethic for softball have been evident since her early years. From her time playing in clubs to her achievements on the field throughout her high school career, she has consistently demonstrated a relentless drive to succeed. Lim’s journey in softball has not only shaped her as an athlete, but has also instilled invaluable qualities of resilience, perseverance, and discipline that she carries with her in all areas of her life. 

Since freshman year, Lim has devoted her and her life to meeting her goals and accomplishing her dreams. This included being academically strong while still being involved in all the activities Silver Creek has to offer. One of the most significant things in her life is softball, as she has been playing ever since she could remember. Softball has been a mental and physical crutch for Lim, and her passion for it drives her to push her limits, overcome obstacles, and strive for excellence both on and off the field.

The constant pressure to be the best and beat the best in academics, high school softball, and travel softball weighed heavily on her mental health from as early as 10 years old. Although a tough mentality to have, it shaped her into the goal oriented and driven student-athlete she’s proud to be. Lim’s rigorous high school training with former Silver Creek softball coaches, Ed Flores, Alicia, Jaimee, and Aaron Noriega, got her in the right shape and mentality for her intensive summer schedule filled with 3-6 hour practices, private lessons, and week long tournaments on both coasts.

The biggest struggle was finding her way to manage school related extracurricular activities – good grades, Sophomore Class President, Polynesian club, Interact club, Filipino student union, and leadership – while aiming to be a top player for her high school team as an underclassman. She thanks her coaches, the Noriega Family, for pushing her beyond her mental blocks and farther than she thought she was capable of athletically. She also thanks her own parents, and her best friends for their constant push in wanting the best from her, but also for reminding her that she was more than her good grades and her sports performance. Lim is not afraid to admit that there were multiple times her mental health plummeted due to the stress and packed schedule, but as she prepares to finish her high school career, she has no regrets. It was all about balance for her and balancing a social life as her getaway with her life as a student-athlete.

Her recruiting process primarily took precedence the summer after her junior year, which is quite late in the game. Due to her move to Las Vegas the summer of 2022, she had to leave the softball world the two seasons she needed to undergo the most for her recruitment. Deciding to come back to California halfway through the first semester of junior year was a whirlwind of its own in Lim’s personal life, but a huge factor that had weighed into the decision was softball. Having the game she grew up with become absent in her biggest time of need left with a huge hole in her life. 

After moving back to California, the first thing she had done was reach out to an old travel coach of hers whom she knew would be able to get her back in the recruiting game. From the months of November 2022 to May of 2023, Lim trained almost everyday with her travel coaches to make up for lost time. A tough decision to withdraw herself from her junior year high school softball season was made, but she knew if she wanted to get to where she needed to be before summer, it had to be done. Summer of 2023 had come quickly and the wire was getting shorter for the recruitment window of 2024 graduates. Lim emailed coaches week after week, attended numerous camps all summer, and attempted to achieve exceptional stats. However, the summer was slow for her. She struggled offensively and almost every 2024 spot was secured on a Division 1 collegiate roster. Senior year started and she had started to lose hope.

After many conversations with her parents and her coaches, they had rid her of the negative thoughts and pushed her even harder. Lim’s 2023 fall travel season was underway in August and to her liking, she had performed outstandingly better than her summer season. She started getting calls from colleges – NAIA, Division 3, and JUCO – but nothing seemed to fit. She did not want to let go of the dream her 7 year old self had of playing Division 1 college softball. She worked even harder, continued to reach out to coaches, and finally received a D1 offer from Jackson State University in Tennessee early September. The San Jose State University Assistant Coach was impressed by her athletic ability and leadership on the field when she came to watch Lim’s organizational workout that past Sunday. Now November 1st, 2024, Lim had finished a phone call with the assistant coach and they’d set up an unofficial visit at SJSU for November 3rd, the day before she’d be leaving for her official visit to JSU on November 4th. 

The visit to SJSU was everything Lim thought it’d be. She visited campus, sat in on a morning practice, and took a tour of the dorms. After over an hour long of an individual meeting with SJSU head coach, Tammy Lohmann, she knew she wanted this offer more than anything. Lohmann followed up with Lim the next few weeks and saw her play in person for the first time at a showcase in Stockton, CA. Lohmann was extremely pleased with Lim’s performance and a week later, they sealed the deal on November 13th. 2023. Lohmann called Lim that night giving her the official offer and after a quick 10 minute debrief with her parents, Lim called Lohmann right back with an overjoyous yes. The San Jose native was staying right here for the next four years continuing her education on a full ride scholarship. 

Throughout high school, Lim pushed herself as much as she could so she could achieve her goal of becoming a lawyer, and helping people receive justice. Although this dream of hers still stands, Lim’s life has navigated her through another route, where she gets the honor of being a D1 athlete on a full scholarship. Because of her relationships with the softball community at San Jose State University, including players and coaches, she felt as though this opportunity was one she could not give up. Lim felt welcomed, comfortable, and fulfilled, knowing she would get to play her favorite sport for her hometown. 

Lim’s goal now is to continue excelling both academically and athletically at SJSU. While her original aspiration of attending Stanford University remains a cherished dream she hopes to achieve later on, Lim has embraced the unexpected path that life has presented her. As a D1 athlete at SJSU, Lim aims to make the most of her college experience, leveraging her perseverance, dedication, and passion for softball to contribute positively to her team’s success. A piece of advice Lim leaves us with is, ““Everything happens for a reason. Trust in yourself and trust in the process”.