The Bryan College women's volleyball team is pleased to announce the signing of Kelsea Knudsen. She is a 5'10" outside or right-side hitter from Sugar Hill, Ga. Knudsen is currently a senior at North Gwinnett High School where she has lead her team to state playoffs, reaching the Sweet 16 in 2009 and Elite 8 in 2010. She has received several individual awards for her efforts including: the Coaches Award (2008); MVP of the Collins Hill Classic (2010); selected All-Area, All-County and All-State first team (2010). Kelsea's 2010 team was awarded Gwinnett County Team of the Year (2010) and was inducted into NGHS's Hall of Fame (2012).
Bryan Head Coach David Shumaker commented, "Kelsea is a great volleyball player with a great story. She was an All-State volleyball player as a junior who injured her knee on the opening day of her senior season. Instead of whining and complaining, Kelsea took her injury as a challenge from God and grew through the experience. Because of this experience Kelsea will bring both skill and perspective to her collegiate experience. I am looking forward to seeing how she contributes to the team."
Sidelined her senior year with a knee injury, Kelsea never gave up her dream to play again and is thrilled to get the opportunity to play at Bryan College. Jeremiah 29:11 became her inspiration as she was determined to not let a torn ACL keep her from trusting in God's plan for her. Kelsea received the "Silver Lining" award by her coach for her resolve and attitude in her recovery process. Unable to be a leader on the court, Kelsea found joy in becoming her team's chaplain, reminding her teammates to trust each other, work hard and leave the results up to God.
Knudsen is working hard in her rehab process and hopes to be on the court in the next few days, playing with the GA5 18 1's club team where she has played four consecutive years.
Outside of playing volleyball, Knudsen has found a passion for coaching and leads a middle school volleyball team out of Suwanee Sports Academy. She went on a mission trip (June 2010) with her dad to Mexico where she built houses during the morning, coached clinics in the afternoon and played volleyball in the evenings. She is a member of Perimeter Church and guides a discipleship group for 7th grade girls. She is active in the NGHS drama department: having earned lead roles as Alice (in Alice in Wonderland), Emcee of "30 plays in 60 minutes"; and currently is working on the role of ‘Clairee' in the play "Steel Magnolias". Kelsea loves photography and digitally enhancing photos.
Knudsen is looking at studying communications or possibly education while at Bryan. Her brother Kenny Knudsen is currently playing baseball for Bryan.
