Michigan State University Athletics
Senior Stories: Doloszycki's Passion and Drive Sets a Spartan Standard
4/30/2026 10:08:00 AM | Softball
By Gabriele Gill, Special to MSUSpartans.com
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Giving up has never been an option for Michigan State senior outfielder Sydney Doloszycki. Not after two ACL tears, countless hours of rehab and the pressure of balancing college softball and academics.Â
Her drive shows in things like Doloszycki tracking a ball hit far over her head in center field. Even though the out was near-impossible, the Michigan State center fielder chased it down anyways, proving her dedication to her team.
Doloszycki is one of two seniors who have been Spartans all four years of their collegiate careers, alongside Britain Beshears. Doloszycki has stepped up to the plate in this unique role. When she came to Michigan State, she was already recovering through her first ACL tear, but she did not let it tarnish her dream of playing college softball.
"I've always wanted to play college softball. I tore my ACL [in her left knee] in my senior year of high school, and so when I did it again, it was really upsetting. I didn't want to go through it again," Doloszycki said.
Doloszycki grew up in St. John, Indiana, playing softball for Lake Central High School and the Beverly Bandits club team, then moved to East Lansing where she would continue her softball career while studying to be a physician assistant. Playing softball at the collegiate level has always been a dream for her, as well as getting a college education so she can pursue a career after softball.
As a freshman, she tore the ACL in her other knee, after competing in 19 games and earning 15 starts. The second time around, she knew what to expect, and her rehab lasted nine months before she could return to action. Overcoming the same injury twice helped push Doloszycki and gave her more determination.
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Now, as a captain, Doloszycki helps lead her team in more ways than one.
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"Syd is a great captain. She really stepped into the role. She is super helpful with team communication and getting everyone on the same page," shares Beshears. "I see her work with our younger outfielders, and two of them are freshmen. I can always hear Syd communicating with them, pushing them to be the best they can be. I remember freshman year, for our 6 a.m. lifts, Syd was always the one knocking on my door, making sure I was awake. She's always been a leader."
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A big part of Doloszycki's work ethic and leadership comes from her team's support. She wants to show up every day and be the best she can be on and off the field for them.
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 "I've been committed to this team, and I've wanted us to win every year." Doloszycki said. "This team makes me want to give everything I am capable of."
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The Michigan State outfielder is enjoying her best offensive season to date. She is batting .305 with eight doubles and four homers, a .357 on-base percentage, and playing a nearly flawless center field.
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Her leadership, along with her skill on the field and in the box, has been an important part of the team's success this year. It makes sense that her whole team unanimously voted for her to be a captain.
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"Syd's leadership is different from the other three captains. When she speaks, it is direct, truthful, and respectful," reveals head coach Sharonda McDonald-Kelley.
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As a college softball player, there is a lot of pressure to stay on top of academics and the game, as well as trying to have healthy friendships. Doloszycki recognizes this and her teammates look up to her because she is good at managing herself.
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"Pressure for us is not getting the job done. Having to travel a lot, staying on top of academics, it is a lot of time management that you must get used to," said Beshears. "Syd takes great pride in her studies, and she makes me want to work hard academically, even after a draining week of games and practice."
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Doloszycki wants to enjoy her time on the field with her teammates as her on-field career winds down, before she moves on to begin postgraduate studies and pursue her career as a physician's assistant.
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"This year I've just been trying to play more freely. I'm a type-A personality and that makes me a big perfectionist," admits Doloszycki. "I've been trying not to have that mindset as much because I know softball is a sport of failure and I am going to fail. It is nice though, because the team this year feels different in the sense that everyone is so supportive. We are all focused on having a good time and winning."
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Giving up has never been an option for Michigan State senior outfielder Sydney Doloszycki. Not after two ACL tears, countless hours of rehab and the pressure of balancing college softball and academics.Â
Her drive shows in things like Doloszycki tracking a ball hit far over her head in center field. Even though the out was near-impossible, the Michigan State center fielder chased it down anyways, proving her dedication to her team.Doloszycki is one of two seniors who have been Spartans all four years of their collegiate careers, alongside Britain Beshears. Doloszycki has stepped up to the plate in this unique role. When she came to Michigan State, she was already recovering through her first ACL tear, but she did not let it tarnish her dream of playing college softball.
"I've always wanted to play college softball. I tore my ACL [in her left knee] in my senior year of high school, and so when I did it again, it was really upsetting. I didn't want to go through it again," Doloszycki said.
Doloszycki grew up in St. John, Indiana, playing softball for Lake Central High School and the Beverly Bandits club team, then moved to East Lansing where she would continue her softball career while studying to be a physician assistant. Playing softball at the collegiate level has always been a dream for her, as well as getting a college education so she can pursue a career after softball.
As a freshman, she tore the ACL in her other knee, after competing in 19 games and earning 15 starts. The second time around, she knew what to expect, and her rehab lasted nine months before she could return to action. Overcoming the same injury twice helped push Doloszycki and gave her more determination.
Â
Now, as a captain, Doloszycki helps lead her team in more ways than one.
Â
"Syd is a great captain. She really stepped into the role. She is super helpful with team communication and getting everyone on the same page," shares Beshears. "I see her work with our younger outfielders, and two of them are freshmen. I can always hear Syd communicating with them, pushing them to be the best they can be. I remember freshman year, for our 6 a.m. lifts, Syd was always the one knocking on my door, making sure I was awake. She's always been a leader."
Â
A big part of Doloszycki's work ethic and leadership comes from her team's support. She wants to show up every day and be the best she can be on and off the field for them.
Â
 "I've been committed to this team, and I've wanted us to win every year." Doloszycki said. "This team makes me want to give everything I am capable of."
Â
The Michigan State outfielder is enjoying her best offensive season to date. She is batting .305 with eight doubles and four homers, a .357 on-base percentage, and playing a nearly flawless center field.
Â
Her leadership, along with her skill on the field and in the box, has been an important part of the team's success this year. It makes sense that her whole team unanimously voted for her to be a captain.
Â
"Syd's leadership is different from the other three captains. When she speaks, it is direct, truthful, and respectful," reveals head coach Sharonda McDonald-Kelley.
Â
As a college softball player, there is a lot of pressure to stay on top of academics and the game, as well as trying to have healthy friendships. Doloszycki recognizes this and her teammates look up to her because she is good at managing herself.Â
"Pressure for us is not getting the job done. Having to travel a lot, staying on top of academics, it is a lot of time management that you must get used to," said Beshears. "Syd takes great pride in her studies, and she makes me want to work hard academically, even after a draining week of games and practice."
Â
Doloszycki wants to enjoy her time on the field with her teammates as her on-field career winds down, before she moves on to begin postgraduate studies and pursue her career as a physician's assistant.
Â
"This year I've just been trying to play more freely. I'm a type-A personality and that makes me a big perfectionist," admits Doloszycki. "I've been trying not to have that mindset as much because I know softball is a sport of failure and I am going to fail. It is nice though, because the team this year feels different in the sense that everyone is so supportive. We are all focused on having a good time and winning."
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