West Orange Times: Sports Spotlight — Kelsey Isaacs

Kelsey Isaacs has been a student at Central Florida Christian Academy since second grade, but her sophomore year may be the most exciting of her athletic career. Going into the new season, Isaacs was named to the libero position by volleyball coach Catie Schluter, and she looks forward to acting as a leader for the Eagles.

When did you first get into volleyball?

I’ve been going to the school for forever now, so ever since elementary I’ve been joining the volleyball team. It’s been growing ever since.

What’s been your favorite thing about playing volleyball at CFCA?

The teamwork that we have on the court — it’s satisfying and I feel good when we’re working together and we get to hang out during practices. On our way to away games we joke around in the van — it’s really cool.

Have you always played at libero?

No, I haven’t. My middle-school year — in eighth grade — I played libero, and this year I just became libero. I was (originally) in the back row defending.

What’s the position change been like for you?

It’s very humbling — I’m very grateful that coach chose me to be libero this year. She did this thing during the summer where every Monday and Wednesday we had workouts — we would go scrimmage her older volleyball friends — and coach told me that I grew over the summer and that’s why she chose me to be libero.

The season hasn’t started yet, but what’s been your favorite thing about playing at libero?

My favorite thing is if everything is rowdy and everyone is panicking, I’m the one to control it. Keeping control on the court.

What are some of the best words of advice you’ve been given?

Don’t ever think if you’re in a nice position on varsity that you’re entitled — you have to keep on working. Our coach gave us these quotes at the beginning of the season, and my specific quote was “Success is not owned, it’s rented, and rent is due every day.”

Do you have any goals going into the new season?

I’m working toward no drop balls, because sometimes if somebody expects the ball and it’s between two players, we’re like “Oh, you should have got it.” 

What are your expectations for this year’s team?

I expect us to grow as a team, but I don’t expect us to be the best team. Normally, until this year, we’ve always had seniors and juniors on varsity — I’m a sophomore — so it’s basically just sophomores and juniors right now.

You’re only a sophomore, but is volleyball something you’d like to do at the next level?

I would love to play volleyball in college — I’d love to get a scholarship to play volleyball in college, actually. I would love to go to college for volleyball, but I’d rather be going to college for education instead.

What do you like to do when you’re not playing volleyball or doing school work?

I like shopping — clothes and shoes.