Hurricanes are some of the most destructive forces on the planet.
Among the swirling ball of destruction sits the eye from which the hurricane draws its incredible power.
When it comes to the devastating force that is Shady Spring volleyball, the center calm that feeds the destruction is senior setter Kelsie Dangerfield.
“Kelsie just knows when to turn it up and she knows when to relax. She sets the tempo for the game, and she is a great leader,” Shady Spring head coach Kelly Williams said.
Dangerfield’s steady play has been a key factor in three straight state tournament trips so far for the Tigers over her high school career.
Those trips to Charleston included a state championship title last year and a state runner-up finish two years ago.
Further proof of Dangerfield’s impact on her team came just over a week ago in quad-match sweep of Philip Barbour, Cabell Midland and Nicholas County.
With the Tigers celebrating Senior Day, the moment became even more emotional for Dangerfield when she was honored for reaching 2,000 assists for her career.
“I don’t even know how to explain this honestly. It’s like craziness. My senior year, the fact I got 2,000 assists today and we beat Philip Barbour. It has been insane today,” Dangerfield said. “It was definitely one of the best days of the season, especially as a senior. It is so overwhelming but makes me really happy at the same time.”
Although she has been extremely successful on the volleyball court, Dangerfield’s first taste of success had nothing to do with the sport she now loves.
“I started gymnastics when I was maybe three or four years old. Really it was from the time I could do a little handstand,” Dangerfield recalled. “My last year in gymnastics was my fourth-grade year and I was a state champion that year.”
No one will ever know how far gymnastics could have taken Dangerfield because a suggestion from her best friend, Chloe Thompson, derailed any future activities on the mat.
“Chloe and I met through church and she kinda got me into volleyball. She had played since third grade and told me I should try volleyball. We went out in her front yard with her stepdad Greg and played. When I started volleyball, it was like, what even is gymnastics?” Dangerfield said, laughing. “I just fell in love with the game, and I had to play volleyball.”
While most young players struggle with serving or just hitting the ball back over the net, that was not the case for Dangerfield. Her volleyball skills seemed to have always been there just waiting for an outlet to explode.
“On the travel team I played on in 5th grade, I started setting. Chloe’s step-dad said I had really pretty hands and wanted to make me a setter,” Dangerfield said. “Since that time, I have worked to make my wrists and fingers stronger. At my grandma’s house, she has a brick wall on the outside of her house, and I would go out there and set for hours. It was all because of Chloe and Greg. I wouldn’t be where I am without them.”
While her calm and quiet demeanor on the court may appear otherwise, Dangerfield has always wanted to be the person in control of the action.
“Ever since I learned to set the ball, I wanted to have the ball in my hands,” Dangerfield explained. “As the setter, you are the quarterback. You control everything and that is something I have always liked.”
After playing on three straight Raleigh County championship teams, Dangerfield made the move to the high school level.
When Dangerfield arrived, the Tigers were making noise statewide under Williams who already had an all-state setter on the roster – Bradlea Hayhurst.
“I thought I could play on that level, but I did have my doubts. I was little and didn’t have the high school level of experience,” Dangerfield said. “I came in and made the team. In about two weeks, I was on the varsity team. I had all of those doubts for nothing, I guess. But I had to work really hard for it. They could have run a 5-1 and put me on JV.”
When asked about playing alongside the highly successful Hayhurst, Dangerfield’s face instantly lit up.
“She was a role model, she really was. I played with her in middle school, and she was so nice and supportive,” Dangerfield said. “When I got to high school, it was what does Bradlea do? I wanted to do what she did.”
Dangerfield is often easy to miss on the floor amongst the explosive hitters that Shady brings to the table. Those explosions are made possible by her unique ability to get to balls all over the floor.
Ironically, her ability to cover the floor harkens back to her initial success as a gymnast.
“I think it does because in gymnastics you are constantly moving. You have to be quick,” Dangerfield said. “On top of that, I ran track some in middle school and two years in high school. I had to be fast.”
“Kelsie is just an all-around great athlete,” Williams said. “Great athletes can do amazing things. I could put Kelsie anywhere on the floor and she would be successful.”
Along with her great athleticism, Dangerfield bring a unique leadership style to the floor. Her ability to stay calm in a sport full of wild momentum swings has led the Tigers through some choppy water over her career.
“Maybe it’s just for me, but if I get too into the game, it’s hard to focus on the main goal, like a win. Chloe is great at getting excited and still being able to focus. I just try to keep my head straight, stay serious and get to the ball,” Dangerfield said. “But I love to have a good time and we all goof off some. It is never a dull moment, and we are all constantly laughing.”
Having earned success at every level she has played, Dangerfield hopes collegiate volleyball is in her future one day.
“I would like to go Fairmont State. I have talked to them a little bit, but setting is a limited position,” Dangerfield said. “If I had to play as a hitter I would, but my love for the game revolves around using my hands. I would really like to do that. Playing in college would be awesome, regardless.”
