A new mindsetFormer MVL

hitter thrives in new role as

setter at BLC

By JEREMY BEHNKE

Journal Sports Writer

MANKATO -- For her whole volleyball career, Minnesota Valley Lutheran graduate and current Bethany Lutheran College freshman Kelsey Black has been the player gets the most glory -- the hitter that delivers the loud thunderous kill to end a play.

But entering her freshman year at BLC, Black decided that maybe it was time to let the spotlight shine on someone else, and she made the switch to setter.

While most would struggle at a new position and get frustrated easily, Black has flourished in her new role and with it, she has found a new love for the game.

Realizing that the Vikings didn't have someone established at the setter position, Black volunteered on the first day of practice to second-year coach Marcia Eggen.

"The first day she asked and I just raised my hand just for the fun of it," Black said.

Eggen knew that Black would be successful at the position and didn't hesitate to let her try it out.

"We had four girls that were sort of trying the position, and Kelsey was one who volunteered to try out, and it was almost immediately apparent that she was capable," Eggen said. "And the second thing that I always think about is make your best athlete your setter. They're going to touch the ball every time it's on on your side of the net."

She said that being a hitter throughout her career probably was what benefitted her the most in her new role.

"It's easier for me because I was a hitter," she said. "[I think] That's where I'd want it if I was a hitter. It's hard not to set it and not hit the ball too."

Black's success at the setter position hasn't gone unnoticed. Not only has she helped the Vikings go 23-6 and 12-0 in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference, she has been named UMAC Volleyball Setter of the Week the past two weeks.

Today, Black and her teammates will play in the NCCAA Regionals in Chicago against Trinity International University. If the Vikings can win the regional tournament, they will play in the National Tournament in Florida.

In the first week of earning UMAC honors, she tallied 139 assists, 19 kills, 50 digs, nine blocks, and nine ace serves -- impressive all-around numbers that show she can be used virtually anywhere on the court and be a weapon.

"It's a glory thing to be the hitter, but I think she's finding out that people do recognize the setter," Eggen said.

"It's been an adjustment for her, because she had a hard time not wanting to be a hitter."

Last week, she finished with 209 assists, 19 kills, and 64 digs to pick up the honors again.

In Tuesday's final regular season win over Crown, she finished with 40 set assists. She said she seldom worries about a bad pass because her teammates are usually able to take whatever she dishes out.

"Not with them -- they can pretty much hit everything that I set for them," Black said.

Last year, the Vikings finished 44-3 en route to a third-place national trophy, so expectations are once again high this year.

But the easy-going setter for the Vikings isn't worried about high expectations and her coach said it helps the rest of the team relax.

"On game day, she is so happy, and its fun to see her before the match, because she just gets everybody happy," Eggen said. "She loves the game."

Jeremy Behnke can be reached at jbehnke@nujournal.com