Northwestern University Athletics
Feature: Chelsy Hyser
9/24/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 24, 2008
When it comes to collegiate volleyball, it is no secret the Big Ten Conference reigns supreme. Which is exactly why Wildcat senior middle blocker Chelsy Hyser never considered anything less.
"That was my number one goal in high school was to play in the Big Ten," Hyser said. "That was all I cared about. It is such an amazing conference and I wanted a chance to play against the best."
Not only was Hyser able to achieve her dream, she found it practically in her own back yard. A native of Belvidere, Ill., Hyser was a three-time All-Conference selection at Belvidere High School and was named to the all-state team her senior year. Ranked 54th in the nation by PrepVolleyball.com, she garnered the attention of head coach Keylor Chan, who offered her the chance to not only realize her dream of playing volleyball in the Big Ten, but also to do so less than two hours from home.
"When I was recruited by Keylor, he told me that he was building this program to be a Big Ten champion," Hyser recalls. "To know that I could be a part of that as well as being close to home was something that was pretty much a dream come true."
Things have changed from the time Hyser first suited up for a practice in Welsh-Ryan Arena in 2005. Northwestern had only been to the NCAA tournament twice since making four-straight appearances in the early 1980s, and hadn't seriously competed for the conference title since the back-to-back championships in 1983 and 1984 - making Chan's vision of being atop the conference standings seem somewhat unrealistic.
That all changed after a 20-12 finish in 2005, her freshman campaign, which was capped off with Northwestern's first-ever NCAA tournament victory - a 3-2 win over Texas A&M in which Hyser recorded the match-sealing kill.
"To this day, that is still probably my favorite memory about Northwestern and playing volleyball." Hyser said. "I really think that was the turning point. From that point on, this program has had the sole focus of competing for a Big Ten championship."
Since then, Hyser had continued to play a vital role in the emergence of Wildcat volleyball. She enters the 2008 campaign second on the Wildcats' all-time list in hitting percentage (.301) and holds the single-match records for both block assists (13) and total blocks (15). Hyser is also the `Cats' returning leader in seven statistical categories, including kills, blocks, hitting percentage and service aces.
But as one of only two seniors on the Wildcat roster, Hyser will be expected to fill another role - that of a leader and mentor to a team filled with underclassmen.
"It's a lot different," Hyser admits. "You are held to a much higher standard by your coaches and teammates. Every practice has to be your best practice, and I've had to learn how to be more vocal, which has been difficult for me. But it's also been a great learning experience."
"Chelsy really has come a long way from her freshman year," Chan said. "To watch her grow as a volleyball player and really become a leader is something that has not only benefited her, but the team as well, and I think she's poised to have a huge season for us."
As the 2008 season gets underway this weekend, it appears the Wildcats are on the verge of making a serious run at that elusive Big Ten title. Northwestern finished 18-13 in 2007, the second-best performance in Chan's eight years in Evanston, and 9-11 in Big Ten play, including victories over Ohio State, Michigan and Minnesota - all of which were ranked in the top-25. The `Cats narrowly missed making the tournament last season, making them incredibly aware of what needs to be done.
"The difference between being a great team in the Big Ten and one who is competing for the title is a handful of points," said Chan. "Not games, not matches, but literally a handful of points, and I think our players realize now how close they are to becoming one of those top teams."
"It was extremely disappointing and it's not something we plan on reliving," Hyser said. "We have been focused all season long on the little things we need to do to be that team that wins the title here at Northwestern. To be able to go back in the record books and media guide and see that you were a part of that is something which can't be taken away."
Despite how the season unfolds, Hyser remains grateful for the opportunity she has had to fulfill her Big Ten dream, and couldn't think of a better place to realize it than in her own back yard.
"There is no where else I would want to play than right here at Northwestern," Hyser said. "To be able to be close to home so that my family and friends can watch me, as well as being a part of a team that will continue to grow as one of the top teams in the Big Ten, there is absolutely nothing I would change. It has been amazing."
