Monday, November 7, 2011

Athlete Profile: Varsity Girls Volleyball Kelly Kosnik

By Emily Caccam

It is no news that BWVB is spectacularly sensational: the team’s perfect 21-0 record for this season says it all. But not all of these girls, including junior middle hitter Kelly Kosnik, were born on the court with volleyball in hand. Like many other Fairfield county kids, Kosnik had played soccer since kindergarten. But after playing volleyball at both her summer camp and Coach LaRusso’s summer camp before freshman year, Kosnik made the trade of cleats and shin guards for active ankles and kneepads.

“I talked to the coaches, girls on the team, and former players, and it sounded like such a great program so I wanted to be a part of it,” Kosnik said. “Riley Sousa was also one of the main people that convinced me to play.”

Today, Kosnik is a vital member of the team, and to say that she is committed is an understatement. Right after the freshman year season ended, Kosnik played for the 15s National Team at CT Impact from November through June, ending with the Nationals Tournament. As a sophomore, Kosnik played her first year on varsity. A back injury kept Kosnik from playing at CT Impact after Darien’s season, but “when I was cleared to play in June, I did any camp I could over the summer and a lot of conditioning,” Kosnik said.

Even with a heavy academic workload, Kosnik stays dedicated to the notoriously demanding sport. “Volleyball really helps you with your time management skills. I am much more efficient with my time when I’m in season than when I’m not in season because I have less time after school,” Kosnik explains.

Like any athlete, Kosnik has some technical things she wants to improve on this season. “But overall,” Kosnik says, “volleyball is a game that can always surprise you so I want to become a more consistent and reliable player every year.”

“It was disappointing to end on a sour note,” Kosnik said of the 2010 season, where BWVB was runner-up at the State Championships. “But this year, we came into the season ready to redeem ourselves and have been working hard ever since. Now that were in the post season, we’re going to keep giving it all we have.” And, after Saturday’s championship win in three straight sets, it looks like BWVB is doing just that.

Don’t forget to vote BWVB for Overtime FCIAC Team of the Week before noon on Wednesday (11/9).

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