In just three short years, Kellyn Kolber has surged to the top of her athletic profession and position. She went from being a relative newcomer to an all-league setter that also now has both a conference and state crown to add to her resume.

The junior played every sport imaginable under the sun growing up, which included gymnastics, dance, basketball, and softball. Around the same time she got involved with travel softball, Kellyn tried her hand with volleyball in middle school. Then, her freshman year with no prior experience, she was named a setter for the Warriors.

Fast forward to this season, as she made Second Team All-Shoreline in helping Valley Regional have one of its best campaigns in claiming both the Shoreline Conference and Class S state titles while amassing 24 wins. She finished the year with 76 aces, 209 digs, and 802 assists this campaign while crossing the 1,000 career-assist barrier.

“I noticed how volleyball was such a fun sport; it is so fast-paced. There is also a sense of forgiveness, since every point has to end with someone making a mistake, but they come right back,” says Kellyn. “I have worked hard in the offseason and worked on my speed, accuracy, and decision-making. I also worked on my strategy with track plays and getting blocks off the hitter. I also attribute my success to my team and our hitters. It was an unbelievable feeling to be part of a state title. We all dedicated ourselves with so much time and energy. It’s crazy to be one team out of four in the state to end their years with a win. The memories made stand out most to me. Everyone got along, and we knew how to uplift each other.”

Setting may bring about the sentiment of being a more supporting role when it comes to the outside observer. Yet Kellyn maintains that when all the pieces come together for that pivotal point, it is the pinnacle of why she strives for excellence in her field.

“Setter is a really rewarding position, especially when you see the validation of your work when the team gets a kill and the play comes together,” says Kellyn. “The mental aspect of the position can be hard. You are involved in every play. It can also go unnoticed in terms of stats from a game, yet the team always makes me feel appreciated.”

When the court seems to be moving on shaky ground to Kellyn, she stabilizes her body and mind by reverting back to the essentials. She not only remembers the fundamentals that brought her so far in the sport, but she harkens back to the “why” of joining it in the first place.

“I try to tell myself to just have fun, which is my motive with volleyball, when things get tough,” Kellyn says. “Whenever I get upset, I try to go back to basics. I let the errors just go, but not laugh them off. To me, it is about playing with the team and having experiences.”

Kellyn details that she has been able to become sharper with both her hands and her legs through her three campaigns with the Warriors, while also playing club volleyball. She has also kicked her defensive abilities up a notch, even if it may not be at the top of the list of desirable attributes for a setter.

“I have improved on my setting with accuracy and mobility. I have also improved on my defense, which is something I struggled with in the past seasons,” says Kellyn. “I worked more on my defense this year, along with being reliable in the front and back row. I could also be more aggressive on offense and get better with my blocking.”

Valley volleyball Head Coach Jaimie Bickelhaput feels Kellyn is at the top of her class and position not only within the league, but also the state. She expresses Kellyn has achieved that level of praise by being so committed to improvement while uplifting others around her.

“Kellyn is someone who demonstrates exceptional qualities that the coach looks for in every player. She is a player who not only demonstrated exceptional technical ability but also has shown tremendous court awareness and decision-making under pressure this year,” says Bickelhaupt. “Her ability to read the game and set up our hitters for success has been invaluable. We wouldn’t be the team we were this year without Kellyn- one of, if not the, best setter in CT. Beyond the physical contributions, Kellyn’s attitude and work ethic has been a model for the entire team. She consistently leads by example, always encourages others, and keeps the team focused and motivated. Her commitment to improving and passion for the game have truly elevated our performance, and I'm incredibly proud of the growth she's shown.”

Kellyn still has another softball slate in the spring to look forward to, along with a state title defense campaign in her send-off season on the floor next fall. Still, she has gained a greater sense of perspective in an individual’s obligations and how heavily they weigh on the success of a squad.

“Valley volleyball has taught me a lot on a personal level. I have learned about being consistent and reliable,” says Kellyn. “On the court, everyone has a role, and they have to come together and be both cohesive and punctual. I was one of the few varsity setters, but to me, it was a gift to have that responsibility and grow.”