Kendall Putnam Looks to Finish College Career off with National Championship

Senior Kendall Putnam is looking to bring a national championship back to the Spartans this season. UT's last national championship was back in 2006. Kendall has one main goal for the season: "ultimately winning a national championship".

Other goals of hers include: "winning conference, winning regionals, and hosting regionals". Kendall feels that going into the season the Spartans have what it takes to win the national championship. "I'm very excited. We have a lot of growing to do. We are a very athletic team. I believe we have a good shot at winning the national championship".

Originally born in Columbus, Ohio, Kendall was raised in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. From middle school onward, Kendall started playing volleyball. After an incredible career at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where she was a four-year varsity starter and the MVP her junior season, Kendall decided to come to the University of Tampa to continue playing volleyball.

As a Freshman, Kendall played in 28 sets and she played key minutes in the NCAA South Regional versus Kentucky State. As a Sophomore, Kendall appeared in 47 sets while also playing key minutes in the NCAA South Regional versus Kentucky State and Eckerd.

The talented young player also saw action in the NCAA Final Four against Bridgeport and four time defending national champion Concordia-St Paul. As a Junior, Kendall appeared in 81 matches while also playing key minutes in the NCAA Tournament against Clark-Atlanta, Palm Beach Atlantic, Wheeling Jesuit, Indianapolis, and Concordia-St. Paul.

The 2012 Spartans volleyball team was the best team Kendall has been on. "Our national championship finalist team from last year is the best team I've been a part of".

Getting so close last year fuels Kendall to want to end her college career with a national championship. In fact, both her freshman and junior seasons, she's been to the national championship game.

Kendall's certainly got unfinished business going into this season as winning a National Championship this season is her ultimate goal. Kendall believes this year's team is the most talented team she's been on. "This year's team is the most talented team".

Her college career at UT has been very successful, serving as one of the team's top defensive players and servers as a four-year letterwinner. A lot of that is due to her hard work and dedication along with the support of her parents whom she says, "never want to disappoint them and my dad comes to all my games".

Kendall feels the Spartans look good going forward after she graduates. "We have a lot of room to grow, every position is even and no one person carries the team. We have a lot of depth and each person contributes to scoring points".

The senior biology major plans on applying to vet school after college. Currently her top choice is University of Florida. She will also apply to The Ohio State University and Auburn University.

Kendall looks to have a very strong season to finish her college career. You can catch Kendall in action starting Wednesday against Rollins College at 7 p.m. in Martinez Center as senior day is slated for Saturday at 4 p.m., against arch-rival Florida Southern College.

Written by Billy Michaelson