When Penn-Trafford grad Samantha Kelly arrived at Westminster three years ago, she already was comfortable on a college volleyball court.
Her mother, Kim, was a player for and later coach at Gettysburg College and was the coach at Carnegie Mellon for 14 years. Little Samantha often would run around at practice and mix with the players during down times.
And, because of Kim Kelly’s collegiate ties, Samantha knew Westminster coach Tammy Swearingen from the time she was in grade school. That made the Titans program a natural fit.
The relationship has been mutually beneficial. The Titans have won the Presidents’ Athletic Conference regular-season title each season during Kelly’s tenure and made the NCAA Tournament in 2019.
But even a volleyball lifer can learn new tricks.
During the past three seasons, Kelly was one of the setters in Swearingen’s 6-2 offense, which utilizes two setters on a rotational basis. This season, Kelly is handling all the setting duties.
“I always considered Sam to be my No. 1 setter,” said Swearingen, in her 29th season as coach. “But she wasn’t blessed with height, so blocking at the net was an issue.
“She certainly hasn’t grown, but she has worked on her vertical quite a bit.”
Listed at 5-foot-8, Kelly, in past years, was rotated out for a taller setter when it came her turn at the net. But she now is holding her own.
“I had an idea going into the fall that (a 5-1 offense) was a possibility this season,” said Kelly, who has more than 1,500 assists in her career. “I definitely worked on blocking a lot more because I haven’t had to do it since I was a senior in high school.
“I at least want to be able to slow the ball down for my defense.”
The other adjustment to playing across the front row was getting reset efficiently after a block attempt. In past seasons, she would have all the action in front of her. Now, if she has to go up for a block, she has to turn and locate the ball quickly to get in position to set.
Kelly has adapted well. The Titans are 9-2 through their first 11 matches and 2-0 in the PAC. Kelly has 346 assists, an average of 8.65 per set.
She benefits from the presence of senior hitters Maya Steward and Becky Adelman as well as junior Kaylee Sciubba (Deer Lakes).
Adjustments aside, Kelly is relishing the responsibility of being the only setter.
“It made my job easier when I had another (setter),” she said. “But with a 5-1, I like being able to work with all the hitters. I’m developing a connection with all the hitters I didn’t used to set often.”
Kelly hopes that connection leads to another NCAA Tournament berth. As gratifying as it was to make the tournament in 2019, there is a bit of an empty feeling for the seniors.
In 2018, the Titans went into the PAC tournament as the overwhelming favorite. But Bethany, beaten twice by Westminster in the regular season, upset the Titans, denying them an NCAA berth.
Then, last season, the Titans won the PAC Tournament at the end of a shortened schedule. But the NCAA Division III Tournament was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
That leaves the Titans hungry to make amends.
“I think from last year’s team, we’ve returned a majority of our starting lineup,” Kelly said. “And we have a couple of freshmen in the lineup from last year who are sophomores … and now they have that experience to help us. Everyone just has that drive to win.”