Welcome to "Behind The Bonnies," a new GoBonnies.com series where we get to know the student-athletes at St. Bonaventure University. In this edition, we meet Bonnies junior Kelly Barnes 

Kelly Barnes has played her way into being a vital piece on the St. Bonaventure Tennis team. As a junior, Barnes has earned captain honors for her team. Along with being a team captain, Barnes also has been recognized as one of the leaders of the student-athlete advisory committee. 

During her sophomore season, Barnes posted seven singles wins and six doubles. She scored a doubles victory with her teammates Kashish Bote against Siena. Against Binghamton, Barnes won in singles and doubles action. In the Navy invitational, she also grabbed a pair of wins in singles and doubles action as well. In this season, Barnes earned honors in the 2023-2024 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team.

During her freshman season, Barnes ranked second on the team with 13 doubles wins and added nine singles victories in her debut season. Barnes earned an Atlantic-10 doubles win against George Mason with her teammate Kashish Bote. She earned Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll.

Kelly Barnes is a native of Orchard Park, N.Y. 
 

What is your favorite memory playing your sport? When the men's team won the first round at A'10s in the 2024-2024 season 

What is your favorite hobby to do outside of playing your sport? Traveling, working out (running, lifting), cooking 

Where is your dream vacation spot? Switzerland 

What is the best part about being a part of your Bonnies team? Being best friends with players who each have a different background culture 

What is your favorite sports team and who is your favorite athlete? Favorite Team-Buffalo Bills, Favorite athlete- Jessie Pegula, Coco Gauff, or Emma Navarro

You can bring any four people to dinner, who are you inviting? Taylor Swift, Michelle Obama, Serena Williams, Beyonce 

Where is your favorite place you've traveled with the team? Orlando

What is your unpopular opinion? Mornings are way better than nights, definitely a morning person 

If you could live inside one TV show/movie what would it be? Grey's Anatomy 

What is your favorite account that you follow on social media? Victoria Garrick 

If you weren't playing your sport, what other sport would you most like to play? Lacrosse

Why did you choose St. Bonaventure? I chose St. Bonaventure to compete against high-level schools as well as A10 schools. The community at St. Bonaventure is like no other and I wanted to be part of a network that watches out for and supports one another like a family. I wanted to meet teammates from around the world and create connections with them and my coaches here. The business school here has so many opportunities and I am able to have great relationships with all my teachers who deeply care about their students. I feel like I belong and am not just another number; I feel like I can make a difference here.

What is your favorite social media app and why? Instagram because I like to watch travel videos and finding new recipes 

What is your favorite class at SBU and why? My favorite class is Investments because it taught about the financial market and where and how to plan to invest your money