Palmer High volleyball standout earns chance to play at the next level

PALMER — There are many things Palmer High volleyball head coach Jayme DeHart can say about senior Kelsey Giese.

The versatility, the talent, the leadership. But as much as anything, DeHart said, Giese has the drive.

And that drive has propelled Giese to the next level.

Giese has signed her National Letter of Intent to attend Wenatchee Valley College and play volleyball for the Knights in Wenatchee, Washington.

“She’s really competitive, driven to be good,” DeHart said.

DeHart said Giese would routinely come to her, ask about her statistics and bring her video.

“She critiques everything,” DeHart said.

Giese used that drive to become a leader on the team.

“I like to say, we go the way of Kelsey. She gets fired up and excited,” DeHart said. “She’s been the emotional leader of the team for a couple of years.”

Giese is a three-year starter for the Moose and was named first-team All-Northern Lights Conference as a senior. Versatility has been among the standout’s biggest strengths.

“She’s played every position at one time or another, every position on the court,” DeHart said. “She could play every position at any time. She has every skill needed.”

DeHart said she sees Giese as a setter at the next level. But that versatility will be key for both Giese and the Wenatchee program, DeHart said.

“I think it’s great for her, great for the program,” DeHart said. “You never know exactly how someone is going to fit in on a team or how a team is going to come together.”

DeHart said it could also help Giese get more playing time early in her career.

Overall, DeHart said she sees Wenatchee as a good place for Giese to continue her volleyball career.

“I think she’s going to have a really good time,” DeHart said.

Giese is the second Palmer senior to sign with a Northwest Athletic Conference program this spring. Maegan Grogan committed to Southwest Oregon Community College. Giese and Grogan helped lead Palmer to the 2019 Northern Lights Conference title.

Contact Frontiersman managing editor Jeremiah Bartz at editor@frontiersman.com.