Senior libero Morgan Kelsey added her name to the record books Sept. 10 after recording her 232nd career ace against Salem State University, the most in Suffolk University volleyball history.
“To be honest I didn’t know I broke it when I had. I knew I had like six left at the beginning of the season, so I guess I just kept working towards it,” said Kelsey. “When it happened, I thought I actually had one more to go, but then everyone started screaming so I was really happy. The crowd erupted with my teammates. My parents were here too so that was great as well.”
For Kelsey, breaking this record wasn’t just luck, it was the culmination of years of experience and development dating back to her high school team.
“I’m really proud of myself for being able to accomplish such great things, like breaking the ace record. All throughout my club seasons back in high school they prioritized serving quite a bit, so I attribute a lot of that success to them as well,” said Kelsey.
Admittedly, Kelsey didn’t expect to eventually become an all-time record holder when first arriving at Suffolk, it was just something that happened through years of hard work.
“Honestly the ace record wasn’t even on my mind when I first came in. In my first three years I think I averaged about 75 aces per season, which is pretty good compared to most. Then at the end of last season it was kind of becoming more of a reality that this was something I could work towards,” said Kelsey.
Coach Scott Blanchard had high praise for Kelsey and noted how much of an impact she’s had on the team’s success thus far.
“Morgan is the backbone of our defense. With her being back there all the time, controlling the ball and serving like she does, she does really good stuff,” said Blanchard.
Kelsey’s success this season has led to other achievements too, including winning back-to-back Conference of New England Libero of the Week awards and inching closer to 1,000 career digs.
To add on to the early success of this team, coach Blanchard reached his 100th career win. Kelsey made sure to credit him and his coaching for how successful the team has been in developing players over the years, leading to the success of this year’s team.
“I would say that he’s definitely pushed me and my teammates to succeed. He definitely has a lot of passion out there on the court, so that’s great,” said Kelsey. “I know we all want to work hard for both him and each other as a whole and push each other to reach these milestones. I know my class has been huge in it. Our setter, Jayla, just reached her 1,000th assist, our outside McKenna … reached her 1,000th kill, and I’ll do my digs. Our class specifically, he recruited us and I think we all decided this was going to be our season.”
Kelsey’s ace record and journey to 1,000 digs are even more additions to a recruiting class of players who’ve pinned their names in Suffolk’s history books.
Blanchard noted how this recruiting class was particularly special, as they were recruited during the COVID-19 pandemic, when they weren’t even able to go inside the athletic buildings they were being shown.
“I’m very proud of these kids, you have to remember this is a group of kids that were recruited during COVID,” said Blanchard. “We worked very hard on getting this group of kids in, and apparently we were right.”
According to Blanchard, the depth provided by having such great players on this volleyball team is what makes this team so successful and allows players to reach the achievements they’ve been making.
“We’re getting a lot out of the players at every level. I think that’s what makes us tough: you can’t key on just one player. If you want to take her out of the game, well these other three are gonna be a pain in your neck because we can basically attack from all six positions,” said Blanchard.
This team’s depth especially shows when looking at the team’s 10-2 record, which includes being undefeated at home.
With this recruiting class being seniors now, their eyes are set on making a playoff push and bringing Suffolk a Conference of New England Championship.
“Winning would mean a lot to the school. This group would be very instrumental in it and sending them out a winner would be great,” said Blanchard. “This group deserves it but I think every group that comes through deserves it because they work hard. Being an athlete for Suffolk with the school schedules and travel, it puts a lot on them like it does with all Division III athletes.”
Both Kelsey and Blanchard talked about the difficulties of balancing the full-time schedule of a student and student athlete, citing having early mornings and late nights.
“It’s a lot. I’m also an interior design major so our classes are like 3 hours long. My Mondays are like 9:30am to 6:10pm and then practice from 6:30 to 8:30. It takes up a lot of time but I think it’s a good commitment,” said Kelsey.
Regardless of what happens at the end of this season, Kelsey noted that joining this team made a lasting impact on her life and helped her become who she is today.
“I found my best friends on this team and just being able to call yourself a college athlete gives you a lot of sense of self. Working both as a student and an athlete is a lot of responsibility. I think it’s really shaped me into who I am today and just finding my people here at Suffolk,” said Kelsey.
