University of Minnesota Athletics
Volleyball
Kristen Kelsay
- Title:
- Associate Head Coach
- Email:
- kkelsay@umn.edu
Kristen Kelsay was hired as the associate head coach for Minnesota volleyball in January of 2023, joining the staff of first year head coach Keegan Cook. Kelsay's specialty is working with the setters along with being a lead in recruiting.
In 2024, Kelsay helped the Gophers take a significant step forward. The team finished with a 21-11 (13-7 Big Ten) record, a four-win improvement from the year prior. Minnesota made its 10th straight NCAA Tournament and fell in the Round of 32 to Kentucky. The 'U' earned top-10 wins over then No. 1 Texas and No. 7 Wisconsin, both in five sets. It was the first time Minnesota defeated a No. 1 ranked team since 2019 and the program's second straight home win over Wisconsin. Statistically, Minnesota improved in hitting percentage (.226 to .242), kills per set (12.4 to 13.0), assists per set (11.5 to 11.8), digs per set (14.7 to 15.3) and blocks per set (2.6 to 2.7) from the year prior.
Senior setter Melani Shaffmaster was named First Team All-Big Ten, AVCA All-Region and an AVCA All-America Honorable Mention after an excellent final season at the 'U'. She became the sixth Gopher ever to reach 5,000 career assist and was the first ever to hit 5,000 assists, 1,000 digs, 400 kills and 300 blocks.
In her first season in 2023, she helped the Gophers to a 17-13 (12-8 Big Ten) record and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. After defeating Utah State in the first round, the Gophers fell to No. 12 Creighton in the Round of 32. Four players were named All-Big Ten in 2023, including setter Melani Shaffmater, was was named Second Team All-Big Ten. Shaffmaster posted a Big Ten-best 19 double doubles in 2023. She tallied career-bests in kills (0.97), hitting percentage (.376), digs (3.07) and aces (0.31) per set under the tutelage of Kelsay. She earned her second consecutive All-Big Ten and AVCA All-North Region honors.
Minnesota started its 2023 season with a Big Ten/Big 12 Challenge Tournament title, earning a four set win over TCU and a sweep over then No. 15 Baylor. The Gophers top win of the season came on Sept. 8 in a five set win over then No. 6 Oregon in Palo Alto, Calif. Minnesota finished its preseason slate 4-4 and started the conference slate slow, going 2-4 in its first six matches. The Gophers were able to turn their season around, however, winning 10 of their final 14 league games to earn a postseason bid.
Prior to Minnesota, Kelsay had seven years of experience as an assistant coach in the Big Ten, including four with Michigan State (2015-18) and three with Northwestern (2019-21).
"I want to thank Director of Athletics Mark Coyle, Deputy Athletic Director Julie Manning and Head Coach Keegan Cook for this incredible opportunity to join the Minnesota volleyball program," said Kelsay. "I cannot wait to get on campus and begin forming relationships with the team, staff and recruits."
In 2022, she worked as the recruiting coordinator and associate director of Volleyball Club Nebraska. Here, she served as the lead coach and coached both the U16 and U18 Elite teams. During her time at VCN, she assisted with the USA National Team Development Program, working with the U15/U16 age group.
Prior to her time in Nebraska, Kelsay served for three years as assistant coach at Northwestern from 2019-21. She helped the Wildcats win 14 games in 2019, finishing on a 4-2 run in Big Ten play, including a five-set upset over then No. 17 Illinois. The victory was NU's first over Illinois since 2014. After a COVID-shortened spring 2021 season, Kelsay paved the way for the future of Northwestern volleyball, helping to sign a top-15 2022 recruiting class in the fall of 2021.
In her final season in Evanston, Northwestern won 12 matches, including seven in Big Ten play. Setter Alexa Rosseau ranked in the top-10 in the Big Ten in assists per set (9.52) under the guidance of Kelsay.
"There's nothing more important to the immediate and long-term success of the Gopher volleyball program than the integrity and the competitive drive of the coaches and student-athletes who join our program," said head coach Keegan Cook. "It was clear throughout the search process that Kristen Kelsay is the exact person we were looking for to help lead our program."
Before NU, Kelsay coached for four years as an assistant coach at Michigan State under head coach Cathy George. In addition to her coaching responsibilities, Kelsay also served as the program's academic liaison and recruiting coordinator.
Helping the team finish with a four-year record of 85-48, Kelsay helped the Spartans reach the 2017 Elite Eight, their first regional finals appearance since 1996. She was voted a "Thirty Under 30" AVCA award honoree and specialized with the MSU setters. She also worked with Michigan State's all-time assist leader and two time All-American, Rachel Minarick.
"There's no question our student-athletes will immediately benefit from her leadership and commitment to their development, both individually and collectively," said Cook. "Her experiences as an athlete and coach as well her institutional knowledge of the Big Ten and surrounding recruiting landscape are invaluable."
Prior to her time on staff at MSU, she played for the Spartans, serving as a team captain for three years. During her time as a student-athlete, she appeared in 133 career matches. She received CoSIDA Academic All-America honors, a three-time Academic All-Big Ten nominee and a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar. In her career, MSU finished with an overall record of 85-50 and made two NCAA Sweet 16 appearances.
Originally from Wheaton, Ill., Kelsay attended St. Francis High School, where she was a First Team All-State selection in 2009. Her father, Bruce, played for the Golden Gophers' football team from 1975-77.
"It is an honor and a privilege to join the Gopher family and compete in the Big Ten. I am thrilled for the opportunity to work alongside Keegan to build upon the tradition and success of Minnesota volleyball," said Kelsay.
In 2024, Kelsay helped the Gophers take a significant step forward. The team finished with a 21-11 (13-7 Big Ten) record, a four-win improvement from the year prior. Minnesota made its 10th straight NCAA Tournament and fell in the Round of 32 to Kentucky. The 'U' earned top-10 wins over then No. 1 Texas and No. 7 Wisconsin, both in five sets. It was the first time Minnesota defeated a No. 1 ranked team since 2019 and the program's second straight home win over Wisconsin. Statistically, Minnesota improved in hitting percentage (.226 to .242), kills per set (12.4 to 13.0), assists per set (11.5 to 11.8), digs per set (14.7 to 15.3) and blocks per set (2.6 to 2.7) from the year prior.
Senior setter Melani Shaffmaster was named First Team All-Big Ten, AVCA All-Region and an AVCA All-America Honorable Mention after an excellent final season at the 'U'. She became the sixth Gopher ever to reach 5,000 career assist and was the first ever to hit 5,000 assists, 1,000 digs, 400 kills and 300 blocks.
In her first season in 2023, she helped the Gophers to a 17-13 (12-8 Big Ten) record and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. After defeating Utah State in the first round, the Gophers fell to No. 12 Creighton in the Round of 32. Four players were named All-Big Ten in 2023, including setter Melani Shaffmater, was was named Second Team All-Big Ten. Shaffmaster posted a Big Ten-best 19 double doubles in 2023. She tallied career-bests in kills (0.97), hitting percentage (.376), digs (3.07) and aces (0.31) per set under the tutelage of Kelsay. She earned her second consecutive All-Big Ten and AVCA All-North Region honors.
Minnesota started its 2023 season with a Big Ten/Big 12 Challenge Tournament title, earning a four set win over TCU and a sweep over then No. 15 Baylor. The Gophers top win of the season came on Sept. 8 in a five set win over then No. 6 Oregon in Palo Alto, Calif. Minnesota finished its preseason slate 4-4 and started the conference slate slow, going 2-4 in its first six matches. The Gophers were able to turn their season around, however, winning 10 of their final 14 league games to earn a postseason bid.
Prior to Minnesota, Kelsay had seven years of experience as an assistant coach in the Big Ten, including four with Michigan State (2015-18) and three with Northwestern (2019-21).
"I want to thank Director of Athletics Mark Coyle, Deputy Athletic Director Julie Manning and Head Coach Keegan Cook for this incredible opportunity to join the Minnesota volleyball program," said Kelsay. "I cannot wait to get on campus and begin forming relationships with the team, staff and recruits."
In 2022, she worked as the recruiting coordinator and associate director of Volleyball Club Nebraska. Here, she served as the lead coach and coached both the U16 and U18 Elite teams. During her time at VCN, she assisted with the USA National Team Development Program, working with the U15/U16 age group.
Prior to her time in Nebraska, Kelsay served for three years as assistant coach at Northwestern from 2019-21. She helped the Wildcats win 14 games in 2019, finishing on a 4-2 run in Big Ten play, including a five-set upset over then No. 17 Illinois. The victory was NU's first over Illinois since 2014. After a COVID-shortened spring 2021 season, Kelsay paved the way for the future of Northwestern volleyball, helping to sign a top-15 2022 recruiting class in the fall of 2021.
In her final season in Evanston, Northwestern won 12 matches, including seven in Big Ten play. Setter Alexa Rosseau ranked in the top-10 in the Big Ten in assists per set (9.52) under the guidance of Kelsay.
"There's nothing more important to the immediate and long-term success of the Gopher volleyball program than the integrity and the competitive drive of the coaches and student-athletes who join our program," said head coach Keegan Cook. "It was clear throughout the search process that Kristen Kelsay is the exact person we were looking for to help lead our program."
Before NU, Kelsay coached for four years as an assistant coach at Michigan State under head coach Cathy George. In addition to her coaching responsibilities, Kelsay also served as the program's academic liaison and recruiting coordinator.
Helping the team finish with a four-year record of 85-48, Kelsay helped the Spartans reach the 2017 Elite Eight, their first regional finals appearance since 1996. She was voted a "Thirty Under 30" AVCA award honoree and specialized with the MSU setters. She also worked with Michigan State's all-time assist leader and two time All-American, Rachel Minarick.
"There's no question our student-athletes will immediately benefit from her leadership and commitment to their development, both individually and collectively," said Cook. "Her experiences as an athlete and coach as well her institutional knowledge of the Big Ten and surrounding recruiting landscape are invaluable."
Prior to her time on staff at MSU, she played for the Spartans, serving as a team captain for three years. During her time as a student-athlete, she appeared in 133 career matches. She received CoSIDA Academic All-America honors, a three-time Academic All-Big Ten nominee and a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar. In her career, MSU finished with an overall record of 85-50 and made two NCAA Sweet 16 appearances.
Originally from Wheaton, Ill., Kelsay attended St. Francis High School, where she was a First Team All-State selection in 2009. Her father, Bruce, played for the Golden Gophers' football team from 1975-77.
"It is an honor and a privilege to join the Gopher family and compete in the Big Ten. I am thrilled for the opportunity to work alongside Keegan to build upon the tradition and success of Minnesota volleyball," said Kelsay.
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