EAST LANSING — The Michigan State volleyball team is gearing up for a significant challenge as they prepare to face top-ranked Nebraska for the first time this Friday night at Breslin Center. This matchup serves as a key benchmark for the Spartans, who currently boast a record of 14-2 and a Big Ten standing of 4-2, following their impressive 3-0 victory over No. 20 Indiana, marking their first win over a ranked opponent in nearly two years.
The upcoming clash is particularly sentimental for Spartans head coach Kristen Kelsay and redshirt freshman setter Malayah Long, whose relationship was forged in Lincoln, Nebraska. Long was a standout player at Volleyball Club Nebraska, where Kelsay served as an associate director and recruiting coordinator. Their bond has developed over the years, reflecting a shared journey that extends beyond the volleyball court.
“I’ll never forget the first match that I coached her,” Kelsay recalled. “I grabbed her hand before the match and said, ‘I believe in you.’ That phrase has become a staple of my encouragement to her.”
Kelsay’s time in Nebraska was pivotal, both personally and professionally. While she navigated significant challenges in her life, she also gained valuable experience coaching elite athletes at Volleyball Club Nebraska, including managing teams and developing coaching strategies. This role reinvigorated her passion for coaching and helped shape her approach to leadership.
Long, whose journey has not been without personal challenges, found a mentor in Kelsay. With her father’s passing when she was just ten, Long has channeled that loss into motivation for her playing career. “Before every game, I close my eyes and talk to him,” she shared, making it clear that her father’s memory remains a major source of inspiration.
After initially starting her collegiate career at Marquette, where she redshirted, Long made the transition to Michigan State, coinciding perfectly with Kelsay’s appointment as head coach. Long has quickly established herself as a pivotal member of the Spartans, starting in all 16 matches this season and earning Big Ten freshman of the week honors twice, a recognition not achieved by a Spartans setter since Rachel Minarick in 2014.
Supporting Long’s efforts is junior outside hitter Karolina Staniszewska, who leads the team in points and kills. The Polish player credits her strong performance to improved comfort in American volleyball and emphasizes the fearlessness and joy that characterizes the team’s play this season.
Kelsay, whose leadership style is deeply rooted in understanding each player’s unique background and story, has instilled a culture of belief and resilience within the team. She remains optimistic and refuses to set limitations for her squad, even as they prepare for a formidable opponent like Nebraska, who boasts a perfect 16-0 record in Big Ten play.
“There is truly no one else in the world that I’d want to go to battle with,” Kelsay stated, highlighting the strength and togetherness of her team. With both Friday’s matchup against Nebraska and a Sunday game against Maryland on the horizon, excitement continues to build for the Spartans as they seek to solidify their place among the Big Ten elite.