Northwestern University Athletics
Davis Announces Kristen Kelsay as Assistant Coach
1/23/2019 2:12:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
EVANSTON, Ill. – Head Coach Shane Davis announced the addition of Kristen Kelsay to the Wildcat volleyball staff as an assistant coach on Wednesday afternoon.
"We're incredibly excited about the addition of Kristen to our coaching staff," said Davis. "Coming from a Big Ten school as both a coach and student-athlete, she knows firsthand what it takes to be successful in such an elite conference. She will be a great fit to our staff and her insights will be invaluable to both our student-athletes and the continued growth of our program as a whole. I believe Kristen brings a unique energy and skillset that will help us continue our pursuit of competing at the highest level and we look forward to her joining the Wildcat family."
Kelsay joins the Northwestern staff after spending four years as an assistant coach at Michigan State under head coach Cathy George. In addition to her coaching responsibilities, Kelsay also served as the program's academic liaison and recruiting coordinator.
Helping the team finish with a four-year record of 85-48, Kelsey was voted a "Thirty Under 30" AVCA award honoree and specialized with the MSU setters. She also worked with Michigan State's all-time assist leader and two time All-American, Rachel Minarick.
"First, I want to thank Shane, Dr. Phillips, and the entire Northwestern community for giving me this opportunity and welcoming me into the Wildcat family," shared Kelsay. "I'm excited to be back home in Chicago at such a prestigious university and even more excited to begin my journey with Northwestern volleyball. I want to thank Michigan State, particularly Cathy George, for the opportunity to play and coach at my alma mater. Over the last eight years I've grown so much as a person and coach and I owe that to each person who was a part of my time in East Lansing. Go Cats!"
Prior to her time on staff at MSU, the Wheaton, Illinois native played for the Spartans, serving as a team captain for three years. During her time as a student-athlete, she appeared in 133 career matches, received CoSIDA Academic All-America honors, was a two-time Big Ten Sportsmanship Award winner, a three-time Academic All-Big Ten nominee and Big Ten Distinguished Scholar. During her time as a graduate assistant at MSU, Kelsay also supported the athletic departments community outreach initiatives and severed as an academic counselor.
Kelsay is currently pursing her graduate degree in Athletic Administration through a Big Ten Postgraduate Scholarship.
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Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
"We're incredibly excited about the addition of Kristen to our coaching staff," said Davis. "Coming from a Big Ten school as both a coach and student-athlete, she knows firsthand what it takes to be successful in such an elite conference. She will be a great fit to our staff and her insights will be invaluable to both our student-athletes and the continued growth of our program as a whole. I believe Kristen brings a unique energy and skillset that will help us continue our pursuit of competing at the highest level and we look forward to her joining the Wildcat family."
Kelsay joins the Northwestern staff after spending four years as an assistant coach at Michigan State under head coach Cathy George. In addition to her coaching responsibilities, Kelsay also served as the program's academic liaison and recruiting coordinator.
Helping the team finish with a four-year record of 85-48, Kelsey was voted a "Thirty Under 30" AVCA award honoree and specialized with the MSU setters. She also worked with Michigan State's all-time assist leader and two time All-American, Rachel Minarick.
"First, I want to thank Shane, Dr. Phillips, and the entire Northwestern community for giving me this opportunity and welcoming me into the Wildcat family," shared Kelsay. "I'm excited to be back home in Chicago at such a prestigious university and even more excited to begin my journey with Northwestern volleyball. I want to thank Michigan State, particularly Cathy George, for the opportunity to play and coach at my alma mater. Over the last eight years I've grown so much as a person and coach and I owe that to each person who was a part of my time in East Lansing. Go Cats!"
Prior to her time on staff at MSU, the Wheaton, Illinois native played for the Spartans, serving as a team captain for three years. During her time as a student-athlete, she appeared in 133 career matches, received CoSIDA Academic All-America honors, was a two-time Big Ten Sportsmanship Award winner, a three-time Academic All-Big Ten nominee and Big Ten Distinguished Scholar. During her time as a graduate assistant at MSU, Kelsay also supported the athletic departments community outreach initiatives and severed as an academic counselor.
Kelsay is currently pursing her graduate degree in Athletic Administration through a Big Ten Postgraduate Scholarship.
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
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