By Christine Garcia
Under the blazing California sun, where sweat and dust rise with every swing, there’s one name that intimidates Fountain Valley High School’s (FVHS) strongest opponents: Ella Kim.
She didn’t wait for senior year to make headlines; as a junior standout athlete at FVHS, Kim has already committed to play Division I Softball at San Diego State University (SDSU). This decision marked a major milestone in a journey that was fueled by grit, sacrifice and deep love for the game. But it’s also not just about personal accomplishments, it’s also about the people beside her.
“I love being [on the softball field] … I have really good relationships with a lot of my teammates. So we’ll go out … [and] take batting practice together,” Kim said. “Of course, my dad always [asks] me to go practice … but it’s just, I love playing.”
Kim’s love for softball wasn’t born overnight, but rather, was created in backyard batting cages, camps and overnight trips. Her spark started after her dad—a former baseball player—inspired her to sign up for the sport at eight years old in 2016. Nine years later, her father continues to be her constant source of inspiration.
For Kim, softball isn’t just a sport, but rather, it’s part of who she is. She thrives on competition, as it’s where she feels most challenged. Success doesn’t come without struggle. From tough losses to hitting slumps, the game has pushed to stay resilient and to show up. Through years of training, softball has shaped Kim into someone who doesn’t back down.
“[Softball has] taught me how to persevere through hardships. It’s taught me teamwork, [specifically] how to communicate with others … [Softball has] given me so many opportunities to travel [and] see places that I normally wouldn’t be able to see,” Kim said.
Her statistics speak volumes and shows off her dedication to the sport with a .478 batting average and a .569 on base percentage, which puts her in the top 20 in Division III and top two in Sunset in the 2025 school year.
Outside of being FVHS softball player, Kim found success under the stadium lights, representing the United States on the Under-15 Women’s Youth National Team (U-15 WNT). The U-15 WNT delivered a commanding performance at the 2023 Utsugi Cup, going undefeated with a perfect 3-0 to secure the championship title.
What sets Kim apart from other Softball players isn’t just her stats—though they are impressive—it’s also her performance in the classroom. She is also a dedicated honors student at FVHS. Although she struggled to manage her softball career and her academic responsibilities in freshman year, she found a balance, propelling her towards success on the field and in the classroom. She plays hard and works hard.
“I get asked a lot if I [want] to play professionally … But I think for me, I don’t know if I want to pursue that, because I’ve always been very focused on my academics … [and] developing my career,” Kim said. “I’m interested in going into business. I know [SDSU] has so many like resources for their athletes … like internship opportunities.”
With her great athleticism, intelligence and resilience, it’s no surprise to many that Kim is already verbally committed to SDSU as a junior. This offer didn’t come easy, she reached out to coaches and invited them to games, so that they could see her in action on the field. Soon after, she was invited to recruiting camps, where she competed against fifty other girls, who were all fighting for a spot on the team. Even in a sea of talented players, Kim caught the coach’s eye right away; it was clear that Kim would bring something special to the SDSU team.
“It’s definitely nerve-racking, especially when you’re [being observed]. For us, we started the camp with catcher-specific drills. I was the first one to go … so I kind of [had] to remember what I’ve done to get to this point, and I’ve been prepared for it,” Kim said.
SDSU’s softball program is a powerhouse on the rise. With exceptional facilities and highly regarded coaches, the Aztecs aren’t just developing players—they’re building leaders. For the 2025 softball season, SDSU advanced to the NCAA Super Regional for the first time in program history, but fell short to Utah. For recruits like Kim, SDSU Is more than just a school, but rather a platform for success.
“What really drew me to the school … [was] the way the coaches have built this program, and the culture they’ve created was something really attractive to me. I liked the way they communicated and the way they spoke about their values for the program,” Kim said. “I play best when I’m with coaches that I’m very comfortable with—who I feel supported by and that was exactly how these coaches made me feel. I just love competition, so I wanted to play somewhere where I was going to be pushed.”
Ella Kim is stepping into her future with excitement and a deep sense of relief. Knowing she’s headed to SDSU has lifted a weight off her shoulders. Now, with her college decision set, she’s able to look ahead with confidence. She’s excited to grow as a player, challenge herself at the next level and be part of a program that reflects her passion.
“I’m excited for college, so it’s definitely motivating me to work harder … I’ll be coming in as the freshman—the rookie—against girls who are years older than me, who have been playing [at] college level competition for a lot longer,” Kim said.
At FVHS, she’s proud of how far she’s come; at the same time, she’s hungry to keep growing—especially at the plate. She’s focused on sharpening her offensive game, becoming consistent and powerful. Beyond the stats, she’s also working on becoming more independent. For Kim, this season isn’t just about preparing for college, it’s about becoming the strongest version of herself for her team and her future.
[I want to be] consistent with my offense. That was something I’ve been working on recently, just being a more consistent hitter … Ever since I started playing, I’ve always been defense-specialized, but [my] hitting [skills]—it fluctuates,” Kim said. “On the more personal side, I just continue developing my independence.”
As she reflects on her journey, Kim has one message for athletes looking to be recruited at a university for a sport: work hard and always carry yourself with sportsmanship. She believes that how you treat others on and off the field matters just as much as how you perform.
“Make sure you have the right attitude. You’re uplifting your teammates … [and you’re] supporting [them]—that’s what matters more than the outcome, because … at the end of the day [coaches] will be able to see if you know how to play or not, but it’s how you act off the field that really matters … A negative mindset will never give you anything positive in your life,” Kim said.
