As a fifth-grader, Kristen Kelsay volunteered to try the setter position. Little did she know that would turn out to be one of the best decisions she ever made.

Now a senior at St. Francis, Kelsay is a two-year starter for the highly-ranked Spartans, who have a current record of 32-2. Going a step further, she is also one of the top setters in Illinois as evidenced by the fact that she recently made an oral commitment to continue her career at Nebraska next fall.

“When I was younger, it (being a setter) was just interesting,” Kelsay said. “As I got older, I realized the responsibility the setter has and also the leadership role. It was my favorite position to practice and I was fairly decent at it. I grew into it. I loved it and have never wanted to change positions.”

The setter has a variety of roles on the court, akin to a quarterback in football, that go beyond just setting up a hitter with a perfect pass.

“To me the best aspect of being a setter is the leadership you have with your team,” she said. “You have to have good chemistry with the hitters and the passers because you touch the ball on almost every play. You have to have confidence in your hitters and they have to have confidence in you.

“You have to have the skills but more importantly, the personality. A setter needs to get along well with her teammates and be a leader. You have to take charge and make decisions.

“And especially if a team is running a 5-1, you have to do everything - digging, blocking, not just setting. So you want to make sure you are well-rounded.”

But despite saying all that, Kelsay doesn’t necessarily believe she occupies the most crucial position on the court.

“I wouldn’t say it is the most important,” she said. “The hitters get the job done, we just try to make it easier for them. And you can’t do anything without good passes. But it is unique in that you get to touch the ball and make decisions on every play.”

Being involved in one of the top programs in the state, Kelsay has had some good role-models to look up to. One girl she especially kept an eye on was Michelle Kocher, a senior when Kelsay was moved up to the varsity as a sophomore and now a setter at the University of Texas.

“I still talk to her,” Kelsay said. “Her hands are amazing and she is a very smart player. I grew up watching her and then got to play with her my sophomore year. I wanted to be like her. She has the ability to stay calm on the court. She is a great person and a great setter.”

Now Kelsay has become the latest in a storied list of setters to come through St. Francis, though she is very appreciative of the talent surrounding her including hitters Kelsey Robinson and Meg Vonderhaar.

“It’s a blast. I love our team this year,” she added. “I am really fortunate to have such strong hitters. I get to mix it up and feel confident with all of them. It’s really been a fun year so far.”