By Mikia Lawrence. special to MSUSpartans.com
 Kirsten Caravaca spent her first three years at the University of North Florida playing softball in the sunshine, just four and a half hours from her hometown, Davie, Florida. When she entered the transfer portal, her mind was set on being closer to home.
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Instead, she ended up even further from home:Â a 20-hour drive and a new experience as Michigan State's primary catcher.
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"I fell in love with the campus and everything," Caravaca said. "I'm willing to sacrifice and suck it up for one more year, to be even further from home, just to experience something different."
 Caravaca's last season at UNF helped the team reach the Atlantic Sun Championship and earn an NCAA tournament bid. She started 59 of 61 games and finished the season with 32 RBI, 12 doubles, three triples, and a pair of home runs. She capped a strong season off with just four errors in 307 chances defensively. Initially recruited for her offensive numbers, strength behind the plate, and postseason experience, Caravaca has brought more than just her penchant for hitting doubles to Michigan State.
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"She has the personality that she kind of gets along with everyone, and she has a really good feel for how to bring people in and how to connect people," said head coach Sharonda McDonald-Kelley.
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McDonald-Kelley described Caravaca as a glue player because of her energy, leadership, and desire to make a difference.
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"I hope to break records, you know, put our name out there," Caravaca said. "We're not just a football or basketball school. We also have softball. We're not overlooked, we're here."
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It's that drive that earned the senior transfer one of the four captain spots for her final season. Caravaca said that coming in with experience, taking people under her wing, and being able to open up and be herself around her team helped her feel at home. Her teammates and coaches feel the same way.
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"I think she just transitioned really well," said McDonald-Kelley. "I mean, the whole team calls her mama, you know, because she just takes care of them."
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Her personality and character, both on and off the field, are what strengthen her relationships with her teammates, sometimes more than her performance on game days.
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"She's a very good role model and a teammate all around, including being a person to go to outside of softball," said Kayla Franklin, a junior infielder (and Caravaca's roommate).
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Franklin transferred to MSU at the same time as Caravaca and clicked instantly. The two spend all their time together, whether they're playing softball or not. Originally from Vestavia, Alabama, Franklin and Caravaca lean on each other while they're far from home.
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"We're two girls from the South up here in the North trying to manage our way through the snow and the cold weather," Franklin said.
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Caravaca and Kayla Franklin
Caravaca and Franklin stretch together on game days and even outside the field. The two go shopping, live together, and even take weekly trips to BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse for Pizookie nights.
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"I am so blessed that I had the opportunity to come to Michigan State and meet her and now be able to call her my best friend, my sister, and teammate," Franklin said.
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Caravaca also serves as a voice of reason for her teammates during practice and games. The team's motto is "FIFI", which means "fix it and flush it". As captain, she still makes sure to have fun.
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"She'll bring a different vibe, you can tell people are way more relaxed, they're way happier," Franklin said. "They're having fun playing softball. I think she just brings out the little kid in us and makes us realize why we're playing this sport."
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Caravaca is making the most of her senior season. Franklin said that she always shows up whether it's at the plate or behind it. Caravaca's dedication to her sport is what sets her leadership and skills apart. Her coaches and teammates said she's always one of the first ones to cheer them on and get them out of their heads.
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"She's very good at bringing the team together, being able to kickstart us, and coming back better than what we've been doing," Franklin said.
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Caravaca's efforts off the field show her dedication to her future as well. She is double-majoring in economics and marketing, and she hopes to work in sports marketing for a professional sports team. Even though she has started looking towards her future, she's taking in every moment.
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"It's kind of bittersweet. It went by so fast, and it was funny, because two years ago, I was like, please let it be my senior year," said Caravaca. "Now that it's here, it's just like, oh boy, I wish I had one more year, but I'm just enjoying it as it goes."
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Caravaca hopes to continue the season strong and fulfill her captain role to the best of her abilities. She says that they are already seeing a difference in this team, and that was reflected in early-season upsets against Clemson and Virginia Tech. The team dynamics and her energetic and supportive personality echo what she wants everyone to know about who she is.
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"I feel like I'm very understanding. I'm only 22, and I'm still pretty young, but I have experienced a lot in life for me that allow me to see things from the brighter side," said Caravaca. "Every day is a blessing and just take it day by day. No matter what happens, it's always going to be okay."
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Caravaca's last season at UNF helped the team reach the Atlantic Sun Championship and earn an NCAA tournament bid. She started 59 of 61 games and finished the season with 32 RBI, 12 doubles, three triples, and a pair of home runs. She capped a strong season off with just four errors in 307 chances defensively. Initially recruited for her offensive numbers, strength behind the plate, and postseason experience, Caravaca has brought more than just her penchant for hitting doubles to Michigan State.
