Montana softball player reunites with long lost biological sister as Teammate spots striking resemblance

A chance observation by a teammate has led to an emotional reunion between two biological sisters who were separated through adoption as babies.

Samantha Rensvold, 19, and her biological sister, 18-year-old Kyann Dean, unexpectedly met during a softball tournament in Belgrade, Montana, after a teammate noticed their striking resemblance while they were playing for opposing teams.
Rensvold had been adopted as an infant through a closed adoption and knew she had a younger biological sister, but sealed records meant she had no information about her sister’s identity, whereabouts or appearance.

After noticing Dean on the opposing team’s roster, Rensvold’s teammate pointed out how much the two looked alike. Rensvold initially hesitated to approach Dean but later discussed the encounter with her mother.

The family checked the tournament registration and discovered that Dean’s name matched a name chosen by their biological mother. Rensvold’s mother then approached Dean’s family at the field, and both families compared details, including the biological mother’s name and the hospital where the sisters were born.

The information confirmed that the two women were biological sisters, leading to an emotional first meeting on the field.
Both sisters had been placed for adoption by separate families in Great Falls, Montana, and grew up about 400 miles apart, with Rensvold raised in Polson and Dean in Worden.

Since their reunion, the sisters have discovered several similarities in their lives. Both played high school volleyball, wore the number six jersey and played the same position. They have also noticed similar mannerisms.

Rensvold now attends Spokane Community College in Washington, where she plays softball, while Dean attends college in North Dakota.

The sisters have continued developing their relationship since their reunion, with Dean recently visiting Rensvold and her family in Washington.