Name: Grace Kelly

Age: 21

Hometown: Beekmantown, NY

Sport: Volleyball

Major: Psychology and Business Double Major, Education Minor

How long have you been playing volleyball? How did you get into the sport?

I started playing when I was in eighth grade, so about nine years. Originally, I played soccer, but by the end of my first modified soccer season, I was not about it. That summer, my mom signed me up for volleyball summer camps at my high school and almost instantly I was in love with the sport. That following school year, I tried out for the JV Volleyball team and made it. The rest is history.

What made you want to join the team at SLU?

Funny enough, at first, I was looking at schools to play basketball, but Coach Roiger (AKA Shelly), reached out and showed interest in me playing volleyball for the Saints.

Following that, I had an amazing tour of the campus, I got to watch an intense volleyball practice, and I had an overnight with the team where I connected with one of the players. The team was so passionate, caring and hilarious. I loved it all and made St. Lawrence my first college of choice.

What has been your favorite experience on the team so far?

My favorite experience was riding in a plane for the first time with them and exploring Chicago with them. One of my favorite traditions on the team is participating in our annual Lip Sync.

We get groups and are assigned a song by the coaches. One year my group did Mambo Number 5, and now I have a dance move named after me. I guess I’m pretty expressive when I dance.

What makes SLU’s volleyball team so unique?

I can’t say other teams aren’t like this, but the volleyball team is a team of sisters who truly care about one another.

They’ll always have each others’ backs, push one another to achieve more, and have each other rolling on the floor with laughter. It’s something I had never experienced until joining the Saints, so I consider it unique.

What is your competition/practice schedule like?

Practice would usually be everyday 4:30-6:30, with either lifting or a core circuit to finish it off. Once upon a time,we would end practices with sprints called DABs (Down and Backs), but we don’t speak of those anymore. Each weekend we would have 2-4 games, and sometimes we would have a game during the week.

Do you have any pre-competition rituals?

Not really, but I would have an order for putting on my gear: left ankle brace, left knee pad, right ankle brace, right knee pad, left shoe, right shoe.

What do you do to celebrate a win?

Our team has a victory song we blast after every win. If it’s a big home match or we go undefeated all weekend at home, we will storm outside and ring the victory bell.

Who would you say is your biggest fan?

My Dad. He loved watching me play and telling people how proud he is/was of his daughter.

Anything else you want to add?

As you’re reading this, I have finished my last season of volleyball. Like all senior athletes, its hard when something that has been such a big part of your life comes to a close. So for you senior athletes out there, I say remember to play your last season with joy and treasure the memories you make.