what has happened here

KD just isn't what it used to be 10 years ago. They focus too much on only getting Mountain Brook and Mobile girls, and then have to pledge "filler girls" for the other 100 spots in their pledge class. The top girls from other areas (and even some from MB and Mobile) know this, and don't want to be in a "filler" class, so they pledge Kappa, Chi O, Phi Mu, etc... So KD is then left with randoms to make up the rest of their pledge class.

Basically they tried to be exclusive, but it backfired as enrollment grew and now the other Old Row houses consistently have the edge over them. Kind of a downward spiral situation.

KD is not a strong house nationally - the Alabama chapter is their strongest one, which says a lot. They've been slipping at Auburn for a while.

Bama KD isn't their strongest chapter in the South by a long shot. I'd put LSU, Ole Miss, UGA, Florida, Florida State, or UNC ahead of them.

KD is very attached to "tradition." Like many other Old Row houses, they still feel that Old Row status gives them a big leg up compared to other houses which is why they don't go crazy during rush, they expect the instate girls to just flock to them to they can attain Old Row status... But it's not like that anymore. Regardless of your opinion, Old Row status isn't what it was when you mother went here. It's true that being Old Row had a certain "prestige" but now it's honestly just a loose label. However, KD is still very persistent about pledging mainly girls from certain areas within Alabama. The other Old Row houses that are thriving obviously used to be like this, however they moved past this sort of "ignorance." They realized that pledging a girl from the North/West who is well rounded is better than pledging a girl from their hometown with nothing more to offer than that they go to the same country club.
KD also doesn't have the best reputation. They're known for having a very divided sisterhood, the instate girls don't talk to the out of state girls.