Kavareas Tears persevered through adversity to shine on sport’s biggest stage
Omaha, NE. – Tennessee’s 2024 trip to Omaha looked a bit different for right fielder, Kavares Tears.
In 2023, he had one at-bat against LSU. In 2024, he was crushing home run balls and crashing into the outfield wall to help get the Vols to the Title Series.
Kavares’ perseverance and patience from his redshirt freshman year to his redshirt sophomore season, resulted in being a key starter for the Vols.
The unwavering support from his family and his strong faith led to this moment.
“It means everything, without God and them [his family], I wouldn’t be where I’m in I am today,” said Kavares.
To get to this point, Kavares relied heavily on his faith.
“The thing that helped me the most I think, is my faith,” said Kavares. “Freshman year, being redshirted, there were a lot of mental struggles. I just wanted to lean on Him as much as I could and give all my worries to Him and go out and do whatever I can.”
Through the setbacks and obstacles, there was always confidence in Kavares’ potential.
Even if nobody else saw it, Head Coach Tony Vitello did. Even dating back to a camp at Lindsey Nelson when Kavareas was in middle school.
“Here’s an in-state kid, he’s got the pop that you’re looking for,” said Vitello. “He can take advantage of the way our field can play for a left-handed hitter. We’ve talked to the team about team chemistry and camaraderie, and that’s very easy to do and throw it all under one blanket, but there are a lot of components to that and he’s a huge one.”
The last time the Volunteers punched their ticket to Omaha, the Vols dog-piled Southern Mississippi. This time around, the team dog-piled inside Lindsey Nelson.
Kavares’ growth was even evident in the path he took to reach the dog pile.
“Going into the dog pile from the bench, to now running in the outfield, being out there is a different feeling. Sometimes it breaks down emotions I was trying to hide,” said Kavares.
Moving from the cleanup to the six-hole, Kavares was determined to find success. Luckily for Kavares, he had the best support team. His parents.
“As parents, we just kept pushing him. We know it’s hard but just keep going and in the end, your reward will come,” said Rodrick Tears, Kavares’ father.
Through Kavares’ patience, his rewards came. He had one of the most important RBIs for the Vols in the 2024 season; the run that sealed the final game of the College World Series.
“Just remember keep working and don’t let anybody tell you can’t do anything. If you’ve got it in your heart and you put God first, anything can happen,” said Rodrick.
That was the message Rodrick sent his son after the Vols secured their spot in Omaha.
“It’s overwhelming since God is so good,” said Rodrick. “When you think about how good He can be, all you can do is sometimes cry. That’s what I felt, I just felt, an overwhelming sense of gratefulness.”
After Tennessee dropped the first game of the CWS Title Series against Texas A&M, the message remained the same in the Tears family.
“Keep God first, work hard for your teammates, and when you come off that
field after the 27th out, just feel good about giving all you got for your team and
for the University for 27 outs. And whatever happens, happens,” said Rodrick.