Senior Kasey Elswick has made her collegiate volleyball career one for the record books.
Elswick, a double major in Accounting and Finance and easily recognized by the brilliant smile on her face, has been well acquainted with the sport of volleyball for most of her life. Volleyball is very competitive in her hometown of Louisville, Kenn., said Elswick. Elswick began to play herself in first grade.
She also has a family legacy in the sport.
“My entire family has played, and my older sister played in college,” Elswick said.
Elswick chose UTM for its close-knit community.
“I received a scholarship opportunity and also really enjoyed the small-town environment and the support the community gives UTM athletics,” Elswick said.
Elswick set her sights high upon entering UTM.
“I set a goal that I wanted to come in and break as many records as possible,” Elswick said.
According to Sports Information, “Elswick recorded 852 digs in 2011, a single-season NCAA Division-I record. She was named the 2011 OVC Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. She amassed 1,963 digs – shattering the previous UTM record for career digs (1,401) in three seasons. She is UTM’s single-season record holder in digs in 2011, and she tallied the most digs in a single match in school history (46 in four sets at Eastern Kentucky on Sept. 23, 2011).”
Despite her record-shattering personal career, Elswick knows the value of teamwork.
“The competitive and team aspect of volleyball, that’s why I love playing it. You play with the team and you win with the team,” Elswick said.
After her graduation from UTM this upcoming May, Elswick will attend grad school and receive her MBA. Then, she plans to take the CPA exam and become an accountant, to “pursue the world of business.”
When not occupied by volleyball practice, games or schoolwork, Elswick is still active. She has a great enthusiasm for other sports and the Harry Potter movies.
“I really like being outdoors a lot, whatever I can do to get outdoors. I’ve always really enjoyed arts and crafty things. I enjoy yoga. When I do have free time, it’s nice to just lounge around and watch a good TV show or movie,” Elswick said.
In her time at UTM, Elswick has come to appreciate the community and the university.
“I’ve really enjoyed the past four years at Martin and am happy to call it my second home,” Elswick said.
