Russ Rose Then (2008): “Kelsey is a well-skilled player who last season was caught behind two All-Americans in Mel and Christa and a great young talent in Ari, and I think she was a little discouraged at times. She made terrific strides in the spring and working to get that fire back so that she becomes a person who we can depend on. Kelsey is calm under pressure and that is why last year it wasn’t uncommon for me to put her in at key times to serve. She has a good serve and is a person who is willing to take a good swing at it. She will hopefull be able to make valuable contributions this season in various roles, as she is a good team player and is always smiling.”
Russ Rose Now (2025): “Kelsey was a local State College product, and she originally committed to the University of Miami. She started there and reached out about Penn State, and we were fortunate that we could get her. She had a good serve for a taller player and could serve and play defense for that rotation. She played all her career at Penn State in that role, more than as an attacker. She was a well-skilled individual who played for a good club team, and she was happy to be at Penn State. We were happy to have her at Penn State as well. Now she continues to excel as the mother of three children.”
2008 Season (Junior) Highlights and Awards: 2008 National Champion … Academic All-Big Ten … Big Ten Sportsmanship Honoree.
Season Recap: Appeared in all 38 matches and 88 sets … saw action primarily as a serving specialist, but also at middle hitter … finished the season with 16 service aces and 15 digs … recorded 2 service aces against George Washington (9/6) … had a season-high 4 kills against New Hampshire (9/20) on .600 hitting (career-high).
NCAA Championship: Tallied 1 service ace against Nebraska in the NCAA Semifinal and 1 against Stanford in the NCAA Championship match.
Before Penn State: 2006 Season (Freshman at University of Miami ): Played in six matches and 19 games before transferring to Penn State and sitting out the rest of the season … provided 21 kills, nine service aces, 11 digs and 19 blocks … tallied a career-high seven kills against Kansas (8/26) … posted six kills on .556 hitting versus Alabama A&M (8/26), also racking up a personal-best six blocks … provided four multiple block matches … had five or more stuffs three times.
High School: Three year volleyball letterwinner and two year basketball letterwinner at State College Area High School … volleyball team captain for the Little Lions during senior year … aided the squad to two District 6 volleyball championships in 2004 and 2005 and also the 2004 District 6 basketball championship … named Most Improved Player as a freshman … won the Player[apos]s Choice Award as a sophomore … named First Team All-State following junior season … three-time First Team All-District and MAC First Team honoree … earned the Maroon and Gray Award and the Power of the Paws Award … member of the Pittsburgh Renaissance club volleyball program … squad finished 15th in the 18 Open Division at the 2006 Junior Olympics.