Hampton University Athletics

Kendra Knight is entering her fourth season with the Hampton University softball program, and her third season as a full-time assistant coach, where she primarily serves as pitching coach. Knight came to Hampton with a great deal of knowledge and experience, known as a fierce competitor that strives for excellence and knows what it takes to be a champion.
 
In 2015, Knight coached freshman Allyson Babinsack to First Team All-MEAC honors – after Babinsack won 15 games and had a stretch in the middle of the season where she won nine straight decisions. Babinsack was also a Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) Second Team All-State selection, and throughout the season, she was recognized multiple times by the MEAC as the Pitcher and Rookie of the Week – and the ECAC named her the Div. I South Pitcher of the Week on March 31.
 
She was also named to the MEAC All-Tournament Team.

In 2014, Knight saw Jailynn Jackson have another stellar season in the circle, as Jackson was named MEAC Pitcher of the Year for the second straight season with a record of 19-12 and an ERA of 2.69. Jackson struck out 143 batters in 2014 and became the first Hampton pitcher since Amanda Black in 2007-08 to win the conference’s top honor for pitchers in back-to-back years.

Knight was a graduate assistant in 2013 as the Lady Pirates won 34 games and took the MEAC championship for the first time since 1996. She helped then-sophomore Jackson earn MEAC Pitcher of the Year honors; Jackson led the MEAC in wins, ERA, and strikeouts in 2013.

Jackson went 23-10 that season with a 2.65 ERA.

Prior to coming to Hampton, Knight etched her name in the record books at the University of Maryland, where she holds the program record for most strikeouts in a season with 309 this past season. An All-ACC selection this past season, Knight was also an NFCA All-Region First Team selection.

Knight led the ACC in opponent batting average as a senior, and she ranked second in the ACC (and eighth in the nation) in 2012 in strikeouts. In three of her four seasons with Maryland, Knight registered an ERA under 2.00.

A native of Virginia Beach, Va., Knight is a graduate of Salem High.