For Cookeville Cavaliers softball shortstop Kali Webb, stepping up is not something she is learning, but something she has always known.
Growing up around the program, Webb has had a front-row seat to what it takes to compete at a high level. As the daughter of head coach Jordan Webb, the expectations were never a mystery, but were part of her foundation.
“I’ve grown up around Cookeville high school softball,” Webb said. “I knew what it meant to step up and play at this level and just get better all around.”
Now a junior and multi-year varsity player, Webb is turning that upbringing into production on the field. Through the 2026 season, she has emerged as one of Cookeville’s most dynamic offensive threats, hitting .385 with a .478 on-base percentage and .538 slugging percentage. Webb has scored 16 runs, driven in six, and added extra-base pop with a home run and a triple.
But where Webb separates herself most is on the bases. With 18 stolen bases, she has established herself as the team’s top speed threat, consistently turning singles into scoring opportunities and putting pressure on opposing defenses.
While her offensive numbers stand out, Webb said her role at shortstop has been just as important, and just as challenging. Webb said the environment has helped accelerate her growth.
“I’m still learning and getting through it and growing up and maturing and helping the freshmen now do what I did,” Webb said. “That got me to where I am and hopefully [I] will continue to get better and grow.”
Webb said that confidence has been a key factor in adjusting to one of softball’s most demanding defensive positions.
“There’s times where it’s hard when you’re making errors or you’re just not playing like you want to,” Webb said. “But I think it all comes around with confidence and knowing you can play that position and just keeping it relatively steady being there and just making all the plays you can.”
That steady mindset is beginning to show in her overall performance. As she becomes more comfortable defensively, her impact across the board continues to expand, both as a reliable presence in the field and a catalyst at the plate.
