By Kyle Coppola
Eustis High’s Kendall Kemp Commits to Rutgers University Softball
Eustis High School junior softball standout Kendall Kemp has made her college decision official, announcing her verbal commitment to play NCAA Division I softball at Rutgers University.
Kendall, one of Lake County’s top young athletes, shared her announcement with excitement and gratitude, calling the opportunity a blessing.
(Kendall stands with the Regional Championship trophy she helped Eustis win earlier this year.)
“I am extremely blessed and excited to announce my verbal commitment to further my academic and softball career at the NCAA Division I level with Rutgers University,” she says. “I want to thank God for blessing me with this opportunity and giving me the strength to get here.”
Known for her dedication both on and off the field, Kendall has been a major contributor to Eustis High’s success over the past several seasons. She helped lead the Panthers to an FHSAA Class 4A State Championship in 2024 during her freshman year and followed that with a state runner-up finish in 2025.
(Since she was little her father saw her potential. Now that little girl with big dreams is headed to Rutgers.)
Last season, Kendall hit .333 average with 27 hits, 27 RBIs, 19 runs scored, and three home runs. Last year Kendall was clutch especially in the FHSAA Playoffs and. Her combination of power and consistency at the plate, along with strong defensive play, has made her a cornerstone of the Eustis lineup each year she has played.
Kendall credited her parents and coaches for helping her reach this milestone. She thanked her father for coaching her throughout her career and her mother for being her biggest cheerleader.
(Kendall stands with her proud parents. Great to see another Eustis athlete headed to the big time!)
“I wouldn’t be anywhere without my parents,” Kendall says. “They’ve sacrificed so much to help me chase my dreams.”
She also expressed appreciation to her longtime coaches — including Brittany Beall, Robert Scott, Dina, Tyra, and Chris — for their guidance and belief in her development as a player and person.
At Rutgers, Kendall will play in the competitive Big Ten Conference. The Scarlet Knights have increasingly looked to Florida for top talent, and Kendall will join fellow Lake County standout and Rutgers commit, senior Katie Bayly who plays for Mount Dora Christian Academy which is very exciting.
For now, Kendall remains focused on her junior season with Eustis, where the Panthers are expected to once more contend for a district championship in 2026 and an FHSAA Playoff run.
“I’m so grateful to be a part of the Rutgers family,” Kendall says. “This is truly a dream come true. Go Scarlet Knights!”
Photos provided by X and Kendall Kemp
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
