2008 Woodie Awards
Not an ordinary freshman
Farrell's previous success should translate into immediate results for SIUE?volleyball
Soni Kumar
Issue date: 7/23/08 Section: Sports
If notoriety and accolades are a barometer for an athlete's skill level, then incoming freshman Kelly Farrell should have no problems competing on the Division I level.
Farrell has been playing volleyball for four years on her high school team at her hometown of Crystal Lake.
According to SIUE sports information, Farrell was named the Illinois All-State volleyball player of the year, All-American by prep volleyball and made the list of the top 150 volleyball players in the nation.
"I guess I am what they are looking for," Farrell said. "I am very competitive, and I don't like to lose. I am a hard worker."
While Farrell will begin her first season as a Cougar, she is by no means a rookie to the sport.
"I have been playing since I was in third-grade," Farrell said. "It's fun. I love being on a team and competing."
By volleyball standards, Farrell is rather short , standing at only 5 feet 6 inches tall.
"When she played in club volleyball she was told she was too short for the game," Kelly's mother Lynne Farrell said. "She wants to prove to people it's not the matter of size to win, especially since she plays setter."
According to Farrel's high school's varsity volleyball coach Doug Blundy, she was named volleyball player of year by the Champaign News Gazette.
"When she is on the floor she is like a coach," Blundy said. "I never have to tell her what to do and I never have to correct her."
Farrell is excited to come in and play with a volleyball program that has found success over the last few seasons.
"I really like the team and I like (SIUE head volleyball coach Todd Gober)," Farrell said. "I am looking forward to having him as a coach and learning a lot from him."
"She is a great volleyball player and I wouldn't doubt the new coach will start her off even as a freshman," Blundy said.
Even though she's a determined volleyball player, studies come first. SIUE is the institution Farrell chose to start off her future.
"I like the campus," Farrell said. "It's pretty and comfy and not too far away from my home, too."
Farrell is entering this fall as a freshman majoring in business.
"I want to open my own restaurant and do an entrepreneurship," Farrell said. "I am still kind of undecided though, but I can't wait to meet new people and live the college life."
According to her mother, Farrell is very well rounded, known as a good student and a leader in high school. Farrell was her class president and the president of student council.
"Honestly, I wish I could have been a student like her," Lynne Farrell said. "She is a very smart and determined young lady. I am going to miss her a lot."
Farrell has been playing volleyball for four years on her high school team at her hometown of Crystal Lake.
According to SIUE sports information, Farrell was named the Illinois All-State volleyball player of the year, All-American by prep volleyball and made the list of the top 150 volleyball players in the nation.
"I guess I am what they are looking for," Farrell said. "I am very competitive, and I don't like to lose. I am a hard worker."
While Farrell will begin her first season as a Cougar, she is by no means a rookie to the sport.
"I have been playing since I was in third-grade," Farrell said. "It's fun. I love being on a team and competing."
By volleyball standards, Farrell is rather short , standing at only 5 feet 6 inches tall.
"When she played in club volleyball she was told she was too short for the game," Kelly's mother Lynne Farrell said. "She wants to prove to people it's not the matter of size to win, especially since she plays setter."
According to Farrel's high school's varsity volleyball coach Doug Blundy, she was named volleyball player of year by the Champaign News Gazette.
"When she is on the floor she is like a coach," Blundy said. "I never have to tell her what to do and I never have to correct her."
Farrell is excited to come in and play with a volleyball program that has found success over the last few seasons.
"I really like the team and I like (SIUE head volleyball coach Todd Gober)," Farrell said. "I am looking forward to having him as a coach and learning a lot from him."
"She is a great volleyball player and I wouldn't doubt the new coach will start her off even as a freshman," Blundy said.
Even though she's a determined volleyball player, studies come first. SIUE is the institution Farrell chose to start off her future.
"I like the campus," Farrell said. "It's pretty and comfy and not too far away from my home, too."
Farrell is entering this fall as a freshman majoring in business.
"I want to open my own restaurant and do an entrepreneurship," Farrell said. "I am still kind of undecided though, but I can't wait to meet new people and live the college life."
According to her mother, Farrell is very well rounded, known as a good student and a leader in high school. Farrell was her class president and the president of student council.
"Honestly, I wish I could have been a student like her," Lynne Farrell said. "She is a very smart and determined young lady. I am going to miss her a lot."
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