Goshen, IN — The Goshen College women’s volleyball program has rung in the New Year with a serious bang, announcing the signing of Fairfield High School standouts Brittany and Kelsey Herschberger to letters of intent Friday afternoon.
Goshen acquires a pair of mega-talented, 5-8 outside hitters in the Herschberger sisters, as the tandem helped Fairfield to a 62-13 record over the past two seasons and a trip to the IHSAA Class 2A State Championship this fall. Brittany, a 2006 graduate, will transfer to Goshen next fall after attending Indiana University this year. Kelsey, meanwhile, enters the Leafs’ program as a true freshman, leading the Fairfield volleyball program to a state runner-up finish this fall.
For Goshen head coach Jewel Lehman, the sisters’ signing could very well mark a turn of the tide in the Goshen program.
“We are extremely excited to have both Brittany and Kelsey Herschberger joining our team,” Lehman said. “This event is significant in increasing our level of play and competition in the Mid-Central Conference. With the experience our young players gained on the court this past season and the added athletic talent of the Herschbergers, we have high expectations for next year.”
The younger Kelsey highlights those hopes, as her senior season at Fairfield was legendary. In addition to leading the Falcons to the Class 2A State Championship match, Kelsey was part of a 32-7 squad that ran the table on the Northeast Corner Conference. She was an all-conference selection in each of her final three years in uniform, and was named to Class 2A Second Team All-State honors as well as being a member of the North-South All-Star Team, the Fort Wayne Gazette Northeast All-Star Team and the South Bend Tribune East All-Star Team. Kelsey was the Fairfield team most valuable player in 2006, and was team captain during the squad’s run to the state finals.
Perhaps most significant was Kelsey’s winning of the IHSAA Mental Attitude Award at the conclusion of this year’s state championships, an honor selected by the IHSAA Executive Committee. Candidates must excel in mental attitude, athletic ability, scholarship and leadership during the four years of high school and participate as a state finalist in their respective sport. Kelsey helped Fairfield reach that goal — the team lost to Muncie Burris High School in the state title match — after being knocked out in the regional championship the previous season.
“Kelsey is strong academically, gifted athletically, versatile and has a great personality,” Lehman said. “We are grateful that Kelsey has chosen to be a member of the Goshen College community and the volleyball program.”
Kelsey led Fairfield in kills in 2006, charting 451 attacks for points and 345 digs. She finished with 33 solo blocks and 32 assist blocks, all while serving at a 91 percent clip and finishing with 68 aces. Kelsey attacked the net with a .290 attack percentage, and will also serve as a member of the Goshen College Track & Field team once at Goshen. A gifted leaper, Kelsey will lend talents both in the high jump and long jump while possibly serving on relay teams as well. Kelsey’s current bests are 5 feet, 3 and ¼ in the high jump and 16 feet, 3 and ½ in the long jump. She was all-conference in the high jump event as a junior and has qualified for regional competition in each of the last two years.
“Kelsey is a consistent, dependable passer and picks up her share of digs in the back row,” Lehman said regarding Kelsey’s volleyball prowess. “She has a fast arm swing which helps her initiate play with a tough serve. At the net, she clearly is a terminator, tallying a high number of kills and blocks.”
Brittany Herschberger returns to competitive volleyball after a year removed from play at Indiana, though Lehman said she believes it will not take long for the elder sister to regain her impeccable form. As a Fairfield senior in the fall of 2005, Brittany led her high school team to a 30-5 record and an 8-2 mark in conference play. The Falcons won the sectional title that season, while Brittany collected her third consecutive all-conference honor, her second team most valuable player award and was named to the South Bend Tribune All-Star Team. Brittany finished with 381 kills on a .302 attack percentage as a senior, scooping 404 digs and charting 13 solo and nine assist blocks. Her 95 percent serving percentage was tops on the team, placing 53 aces in the process.
“Brittany is a great student, a talented all-around volleyball player and a wonderful person,” Lehman said. “She is a very reliable player with a low-error style of play. She passes accurately on serve receive and is a great defensive player in the back row. Additionally, Brittany delivers a consistent, strong serve and has a powerful attack. On offense, she plays intelligently while working around the block well.
“The addition of these players will increase the consistency of our passing allowing our setters to deliver a more consistent ball,” Lehman continued. “As hitters, this pair brings the athleticism to provide depth and to advance our varied and quick offense.”
Goshen acquires talented students in the Herschbergers as well, as both Kelsey and Brittany leave Fairfield in the top 10 of their respective classes academically. Brittany was named to Academic All-State honors as a senior, while Kelsey was an Honorable Mention Academic All-State award winner this fall.
The Herschbergers also had the benefit of playing volleyball for their parents while at Fairfield, as their mother, Carla Herschberger, serves as the head coach of the Falcons’ program. Father Kirby — an assistant volleyball coach at Fairfield — Fairfield principal Phil Hoskins and athletic director Mark Hofer were also present at the sisters’ signing in late December.
“In addition to providing their gene pool, Brittany and Kelsey’s parents, Carla and Kirby, can take credit for the sound Herschberger technique and strong work ethic they each possess,” Lehman said. “We appreciate the connection we have with the Herschberger family and look forward to working with them as they bring much positive energy to our program.”
Lehman said she hopes to sign an additional pair of players by the end of February. Check back to this site for the latest news and updates pertaining to the Goshen women’s volleyball program.
|
Brittany Herschberger 