Three years ago, Kelsey Chipman made her presence known to the Kansas State volleyball team. It was late in her freshman year, and while she had already been a consistent contributor for the Wildcats throughout the season, an early November match was different.

During that match in Boulder, Colo., Chipman -- now a senior -- was vital in the Wildcats' ability to push the match into a deciding fifth set after trailing 21.

The Topeka native recorded a career-high 20 kills and 15 assists in the match, securing her the first double-double of her career.

KSU coach Suzie Fritz knew Chipman would eventually play to that potential, but this seemed a bit early.

"Every player has a breakthrough at some point in time where you can tell that things are starting to come for them," Fritz said. "They are not thinking about where they are suppose to be standing anymore, they are thinking about making plays.

"Everyone has that breakthrough and I think that was it for Kelsey. It's not that I didn't expect it, maybe I just didn't expect it that early."

Chipman said that she was not aware of the numbers she was putting up that night. Yet she did know that she felt more comfortable on the floor than she had in previous matches that season.

"I think my freshman year I was so worried about trying to do the right thing," Chipman said. "After one game your confidence kind of builds and that is necessary in this league or else you are never going to survive."

That breakthrough performance her freshman year led to a career that has produced a consistent and impressive career at K-State. Chipman has grown into one of the premier middle blockers in the Big 12, ranking second this season with a .351 hitting percentage.
She completed her junior campaign with a .354 hitting percentage, good for third in the Big 12.

It's that consistency that has won over the respect of her teammates throughout her career at K-State.

"She is just one of those players that is always there," KSU junior Lauren Mathewson said. "She doesn't take a day off, she is always working hard and always trying to get better."

Her teammates have been depending on her consistent offensive production this season as the Wildcats have struggled through a difficult 2009 campaign. Following a sweep in Austin, Texas by the Longhorns on Wednesday, the Wildcats dropped to 10-17 overall and 3-13 in Big 12 play.

But on Saturday, she will have a chance to repeat her performance from her freshman year, as the Wildcats will face Colorado at Ahearn Field House, beginning 2 p.m. It will be senior night f o r C h i p m a n , a n d t he se n i o r cl a ss including setter Soriana Pacheco and manager Melissa Watson.

Fritz said it will be a bittersweet moment for her on Saturday due to the lack of the Wildcats have seen this season against Big 12 competition which has eliminated them from postseason contention.

"I'm just sorry that this hasn't ended the way in which she [Chipman] deserves," Fritz said. "That's what I am maybe the most remorseful about. She deserves more from her senior year and we weren't able to give that to her.
It's totally emotional. I don't know what the team will be like without Kelsey Chipman. I don't have to worry about it for a week and a half."

Yet Chipman feels that while the team has not experienced the success she had wanted this season, she hopes that the career and legacy she has left at K-State will out weigh what the 2009 season produced.

"I don't think it is a bad thing to expect more from your team, and yourself," Chipman said. "It's not a bad thing to want more than you have. I think that is a good quality to have in anyone. I'm not satisfied with the way things are now and I'm not happy with the way that I have to leave this program, but I have had some great memories and been apart of some great teams and some great seasons and I have met some great girls."

Staff photo by Rod Mikinski The Manhattan Mercury.