Kyndall Keller settling into role with the Lady Griz

Moving up from high school basketball to the collegiate level is a tough adjustment that not everyone can handle. But in her first two years in the University of Montana women's basketball program, Havre's Kyndall Keller has embraced the tougher level of competition and made herself at home with the Lady Griz.

"I've learned so much about basketball. (College basketball) is a whole different ball game compared to high school basketball," Keller said. "It's just crazy busy but it's super awesome, and I'm just really grateful for the experience and the opportunity."

This past season, the Lady Griz went 19-11. At the end of the season, Keller was awarded for her commitment to the program as her head coach Brian Holsinger named her the Grace Geil Most Improved Player alongside her teammate Sophia Stiles.

"I was just super thankful and I felt honored," Keller said about receiving the award. "It was really neat and it made me excited."

In her sophomore season with the Griz, Keller played in 26 games through the season. While she did not light up the scoreboard, she made her presence felt with her defensive effort that was recognized by her coach. Keller credits the UM coaching staff for helping her take that leap as a player.

"The coaching staff really helps you. They invest in you and they tell you what parts of your game that you need to do better at and some things you need to focus on," Keller said. "Doing extra work outside of practice and individual workouts is a must and I've just learned so much about the game."

However, Keller had to overcome her fair share of adversity to get on the court this season. At the beginning of the season, she fell ill because of COVID-19. Shortly after that, she suffered a concussion when she was rear ended while driving. Even after all that, she caught COVID-19 again late in the season. Despite all that, she pushed through it to end the year on a strong note.

"You just have to get through it," Keller said. "You really have to keep a positive mindset and take it day by day."

Keller is accustomed to big-time basketball after playing high school basketball for the Havre High Blue Ponies. During her time with the Ponies, she helped lead the program to a pair of Class A state titles during her sophomore and junior years.

During both those title runs, she was named the tournament MVP. She was named an all-state player all four years of high school and finished her career being named the 2020 Gatorade Montana Player of the Year. Keller credits HHS head coach Dustin Kraske and assistant coaches Kelly Veis and Hayley Donovan for teaching her what she needed to know for college basketball.

"They taught me how to work hard and they also taught me that basketball is fun," Keller said. "So taking that to college, I think is probably one of the most important parts (of the game). Just knowing you're going to have to work hard but also enjoying your time because it doesn't last forever."

Keller is also carrying on the family tradition of college basketball. Her aunts, Cheryl and Juliann Keller, both played for the Lady Griz in the early 2000s. Her parents, Bill and Karen Keller, also both played basketball at Carroll College. While some may feel pressure to live up to the family legacy, Keller just uses it as an opportunity to strengthen the family ties.

"Just to be able to share somewhat of the same experience as them and be able to bond over it and just be part of the same community is really cool," Keller said. "We relate a lot and I think it's super fun."

After graduating in 2020, Keller joined the Lady Griz program. Along with being homesick when she first arrived in Missoula, Keller had to adjust to the higher level of competition.

"It was a huge transition," Keller said. "You spend so much more time playing basketball. It is a full-time job once you get to college so that was really tough but this year, it's gotten a lot better and I'm used to being away from home."

After making that transition, she has found herself a new home in the Lady Griz program.

"You can't beat the Lady Griz program," Keller said. "The supporters that we have, our coaching staff, the teammates, the friends you make. All the memories and the people are really what make it so special."

With basketball taking up so much of her time now, Keller has also had to manage the workload of college courses. Keller is majoring in business administration, so she has made sure to stay on top of her grades while also devoting time to the Lady Griz.

"You really have to prioritize your time for sure," Keller said. "I use a planner and I have to lay out my week. I have set days where I'm going to do certain homework tasks."

As she has adjusted to playing college basketball and going to school, Keller has also had to adjust to living in the big city. While it could have been overwhelming, she took it as an opportunity to try out new experiences.

"I've enjoyed a little bit of everything," Keller said. "It's just a whole different feel here than Havre. It's a lot bigger and there's more places to eat and shop. It's just different and I love a little bit of everything about it here."

Despite ending her sophomore season as the team's most improved player, Keller knows she can still become a better player. As she heads into this offseason and prepares for her junior year with the Lady Griz, Keller looks to become even better to make her mark on the program.

"I just really want to focus on improving," Keller said. "Just in every aspect of the game: shooting, strength, conditioning, ball handling. I just want to become a better basketball player."