Sisters Kellen and Raelee Chess have been playing softball since they each turned 4 years old. As of right now, both play for Diamond Fastpitch in their respective age groups; Kellen for 14U, plays first, second, shortstop and outfield positions, and Raelee plays in the 12U division and is a pitcher and plays first base and outfield. 

While softball is their main passion, both are also in their third year of volleyball. 

year of volleyball. “They started with Kidsports with their classmates and a parent coach,” their mom, Shanna, shares. “This year, Kellen played on the O’hara seventh-grade team. Raelee is playing Kidsports this year for one last year before playing for O’hara next year. Kellen started playing for a club team, Webfoot Juniors, last year. She mostly plays opposite, middle and setter. Raelee will try out for Webfoot this year and is excited to join.” 

In the past, both girls have a few years of dance under their belts. They were even able to dance at the Hult Center for a performance. Both were on Xcel competitive gymnastics teams through NAAG, competing on floor, beam, bars and vault. While they really enjoyed these activities, as they got older, the time commitments from sports required them to narrow down to their favorites. Raelee’s favorite is softball with volleyball as her second, and Kellen’s favorite is volleyball, softball her second. 

Both girls have also participated in the Oregon Battle of the Books. Kellen’s team even made it to Regionals one year, where they placed in the top eight teams. Both girls have also been in school plays. Kellen was in The Sound of Music and Frozen, and Raelee was in Frozen.

The sisters are still figuring out what they want to be when they grow up, but for now, Kellen would be either a photographer or a professional volleyball player, and Raelee a professional softball player, but if she needs a “‘normal’ job, maybe a softball coach.”  

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Kellen: I admire my mom because she helps keep me focused and on top of all the things I need to do. She gives me good feedback on when I do a good job and also tips on how I can improve in different areas.

Raelee: I admire my coaches. They are strict when I need it but also funny at keeping me focused.

Food

Both: Ice cream and pizza

Color

Kellen: Pink

Raelee: Light blue

Music

Kellen: Pop

Raelee: Country and pop

Movie or TV Show

Kellen: Modern Family

Raelee: Mean Girls

Sports Teams

Both: Ducks

Subject in School

Both: P.E.

Vacation

Both: Puerto Rico