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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2013 12:10:35 GMT -5
According to Rich Kern, Illinois got Mckenna Kelsay a 5'8" setter for 2013 MSU's Kristen Kelsay's sister. She's good. Sets Sports Performance's 18-3s team I think.
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Post by notpriddy (COIF) on Feb 20, 2013 15:28:57 GMT -5
According to Rich Kern, Illinois got Mckenna Kelsay a 5'8" setter for 2013 Welcome to the Illini Volleyball Family Mckenna. If anyone cares to google Mckenna there are alot of videos and articles concerning her. From the comments and accolades re Mckenna she will be a great addition to the Illinois program. Here are a couple: In an "Unsung Heroes of Fall Sports" article in a Chicago area newpaper her junior year, St. Francis High School Coach Kopec singled out Kelsay and said that McKenna is "hard working, tireless, responsible, caring, and a great teammate." ****************************************************** News article after St. Francis won the state volleyball championship last fall: Athlete of the Week: McKenna Kelsay Created: Wednesday, November 14, 2012 5:30 a.m. CST St. Charles Bank & Trust-Athlete of the Week: McKenna Kelsay St. Francis, Senior, Girls Volleyball Why she was selected: The Spartans' standout setter notched a combined 64 assists last weekend in a 3A state semifinal win against Champaign Centennial and the state championship match Saturday against Richmond-Burton. Kelsay, who is receiving Division I recruiting attention from schools including Illinois and Michigan State – where her older sister, Kristen, plays – is the St. Charles Bank & Trust-Kane County Chronicle Athlete of the Week. Kelsay touched base with sports editor Jay Schwab after the Spartans' state final for a few questions. The following is an edited transcript: Do you feel like you were at your best at Redbird Arena? Yes. We've been through tight matches this entire state series. Obviously the [Joliet Catholic] match. We knew nothing was going to be given so we knew we had to come out in both of these matches. Obviously it's exciting to be here but we had a goal in mind and we said we have to come down here and play as best as we can to win. ... We all just said we have to come out our strongest, and I think we did this weekend. It obviously paid off. What's your toughest class in school this semester? I'd have to say Spanish. Spanish is not my strong point. Favorite sports movie? "Remember the Titans," for sure. It gets me every time. I love that movie.
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Post by smiley on Feb 20, 2013 15:44:55 GMT -5
Sounds like a great catch. Gives us a quality second setter. Needed for practice and in case of illness/injury.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2013 16:53:14 GMT -5
Kelsey - scholarship or walk-on? How does she fit in with returning setter and highly regarded Denver recruit?
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Post by notpriddy (COIF) on Feb 20, 2013 16:58:29 GMT -5
I have not seen Mckenna play in person, but I have seen her on video. Her high school coach said that she is the best defensive setter she has coached, and Coach Kopec of perennial powerhouse Wheaton St. Francis has coached some great setters.
Mckenna reminds me personally of Erin Virtue who set for Illinois part of the 2002 season, all of 2003, and the first part of 2004 season before suffering an ACL. Both undersized as setters, but with oversized hearts of champions.
The comparison of Erin and Mckenna as setters is further remarkable because Erin also set Wheaton St. Francis to great success, as well as the Illini. I have revered Erin ever since as she now assists the Rosens at Michigan. I can only hope that Mckenna has some measure of success at Illinois as Erin had, either at setter or as a defensive specialist.
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Post by smiley on Feb 20, 2013 17:58:45 GMT -5
She'll be a walk-on, at least at first.
Poulter isn't until 2015.
If Mckenna is half the player that Virtue was it will be the greatest get in the history of llinois volleyball. Erin was one of the greatest LEADERS EVER here and to get Mckenna as a walk-on would be FANTASTIC IF she's anywhere near that good. Of course that's an IF. No matter what she sounds lake at the very least a good addition to the team.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2013 18:19:14 GMT -5
I think McKenna fills the gap that Jackie played, Right Side DS, and second setter until Poulter gets her feet under her in 2015+.
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Post by smiley on Feb 20, 2013 18:55:22 GMT -5
We have Beltran at Libero, Birks LS back row, Stark RS back row, Canard, Davis, Abrahamovich, Viliunas, And Kelsey all playing back row at some time or another. Plus possibly the two new OH's.
As much of a problem the back row had I see the returning players getting the vast majority of PT. Why? Experience! just what the returners did NOT have last year and look what happened. We've GOT to have good back row play if we're going to do well. If the newbies can beat out the returners then more power to them. But the returners have a big edge.
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Post by notpriddy (COIF) on Feb 20, 2013 19:27:35 GMT -5
Coach Hambly philosophically likes at least one (preferably two) left-side hitters playing all six rotations. That not only gives the offense the extra option of a back row spiker, but I think he wants to prepare his OHs to have the skills and opportunity to play internationally after college.
It seems to me most college coaches don't have such a strong inclination to do this. They will gladly sub a smaller, defensive specialist for the OH in the back row. With the extra subs allowed last season, there is even more encouragement to have more players subbing onto the back row.
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Post by smiley on Feb 21, 2013 2:59:28 GMT -5
The problem is that unless things change Liz is one of the LS's. On the plus side RS Stark can play back. But with all the newcomers, who knows? We should have plenty of bodies, here's hoping we've got the skill.
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Post by notpriddy (COIF) on Feb 21, 2013 7:40:26 GMT -5
I like the defensive additions of Davis, Donnelly, and Kelsay. These players can all play some good defense.
Altho' the Illini coaches like to stress the importance of defense, as an untrained observer, I would say that Coach Hambly's teams have always been stronger offensively than defensively. When Illinois loses to a team like a Shondell-coached Purdue team, my opinion is it is because of the difference in back row defense. The Shondells stress that area of play and recruit for it, Illinois seems much less likely to recruit the low-to-the-floor defensive whiz.
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Post by vbfanantic on Feb 21, 2013 9:33:20 GMT -5
Haven't see her play, but it is nice to see some foot speed at setter. Unless the passing improves significantly, it will help to quick setter. Maybe Illinois will adopt the strategy that Minnesota used: having the smaller, faster setter run most of the offense but bring in the taller (but slower) setter to block in the front row when serving.
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Post by david on Feb 21, 2013 9:37:39 GMT -5
Viliunis is pretty fast (just taller) and there's some advantage to being able to get to passes on the net. But having two good setters is way better than just one.
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Post by notpriddy (COIF) on Feb 21, 2013 10:07:49 GMT -5
Viliunas' speed and athleticism are more than adequate for B1G volleyball. And, tho' newcomer Kelsay's defense is impressive, Viliunas is no defensive slouch. I think defense and blocking at the setter position next season will take a major leap.
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Post by notpriddy (COIF) on Feb 23, 2013 8:19:47 GMT -5
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