PINE GROVE, PA (September 23, 2010) – Kelsey Nester is not sure what she would be doing if she wasn't playing volleyball.
“I am pretty sure I'd be lazy right now,” Nester said. “My life would be pretty boring too.”
Nester only got into volleyball from watching her older sister, Ashley, play the sport. While traveling to watch her sister compete, Nester started getting into volleyball. She began playing in seventh grade. The marketing major hasn't stopped since. Nester is wrapping a strong career for the Golden Bears where she developed into one of the most feared hitters in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).
The Golden Bears took a recent break from PSAC competition to pay tribute to Shannon Sullivan, a former KU volleyball player that died in a car accident, before defeating Penn State-Berks, 3-1 earlier this week. Each year, Kutztown travels to Pine Grove Middle School to play a match against a Berks County foe to raise money for the annual Sullivan Scholarship Fund.
Nester was this year's winner of the Sullivan Scholarship. Nester is the fourth recipient of the Sullivan scholarship, joining Jamie Celia (Douglassville, PA/Daniel Boone) (2009), Lindsay Confer (Wingate, PA/Bald Eagle) (2008) and Nicole Biuso (2007) as winners of the distinguished honor.
“I was kind of shocked when I found out that I won the award,” Nester said. “Even though I never met her, I still feel that she's part of the program and that's she here with us. There are so many deserving girls on the team so to be chosen is an awesome privilege.”
The scholarship was established in 2006 and is awarded annually to a member of the KU volleyball team who demonstrates the following characteristics: passion for her sport, love for her teammates and a commitment to academic achievement, integrity and strength of character.
“She is an incredibly explosive player who uses her speed to give opposing blockers fits,” Kutztown head volleyball coach John Gump said. “Like Shannon, Kelsey gives you everything she has, every night. She holds nothing back. She has very high standards for herself, on and off the court, and pushes herself to meet those standards every day. She's very easy to coach and I look forward to the matches we have left together.”
This season, Nester has been one of the many cogs in the Kutztown machine. The Golden Bears are 10-3 overall as they begin the meat of their Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division schedule this weekend. Kutztown will play two matches against Cheyney at Cope Hall on Friday evening beginning at 5 p.m. Then, the Golden Bears will host a Saturday matinee against rival West Chester at Keystone Arena beginning at 1 p.m.
She has 52 kills this season and 573 for her career. That she has that many kills in her sterling career is amazing considering she struggled with her form and footwork as a freshman and parts of her sophomore season. However, that's in the past. Although Nester admits she won't enter any dance competitions, she is more than comfortable with her volleyball two-step.
“I felt like my feet were always sliding backwards,” Nester said. “I always struggled with my approach. I just continued to practice and I finally got it, but it was a long process.”
Now, Nester is as nimble as a ballerina on the court. However, while she may have a nice smile and a pleasant personality, once the match begins, Nester transforms into a different person. She smashes the ball with plenty of force and lets out yells that can be heard miles away. Nester would like to finish her career by playing in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regionals again. It would be a perfect bookend because Nester played in the NCAA tournament as a freshman.
Nester is doing her part to help KU return to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2007. In consecutive matches earlier this season against Philadelphia and C.W. Post, Nester finished with nine kills each.
“Kelsey is quiet by nature, so she lets her effort and performances speak for her,” Kutztown head volleyball coach John Gump said. “When we walk into a gym, Kelsey, because of her size, is probably one of the last players opponents worry about being a factor at the net. When we leave, more often than not, they've spent the night trying to figure why they could not stop her.”
GETTING TO KNOW NESTER
What you don't know even if you're approved as a Facebook friend
Career goal: After I graduate I'd like to go to a massage therapy school then open my own spa
Favorite movies: "Dumb and Dumber"
Favorite food: Stromboli and hot dogs
Favorite book: "Women's Murder Club Series" by James Patterson
Favorite actor: Adam Sandler and Will Ferrell
Hobbies: Painting nails
Favorite pro sports team: Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies
Favorite cartoon character: Spongebob Squarepants
Favorite athlete: Chase Utley
Favorite pre-game meal: Baked oatmeal
Best advice I ever received: "Don't ever let anyone tell you, you can't."
What's on my I-pod: Everything! From classical to rap and everything in between
Best thing about Kutztown: Spuds
TV show I'd like to be a contestant on: Wheel of Fortune
