CHARLESTON, W Va. –  They say that growing up playing sports teaches people lessons about life and gives them tools to help them in different situations. It is a big reason why collegiate sports are as big as they are today. College sports help students get into school and ultimately help guide them towards their future career paths. Some might say that athletics opens doors for people to expand their horizons and reach goals they never thought were possible. For the Senior libero at the University of Charleston, Kelsey Matusic, these opportunities presented themselves in full force the day she decided to accept the offer to become a Golden Eagle. 

Before Matusic started attending UC, she started playing the game of volleyball in the sixth grade. Matusic continued to play throughout middle school and continued her career at Winfield High School located in Winfield, W Va.  

By the time Matusic's sophomore season at Winfield High had come around, the libero position had opened up. She wasted no time getting in the gym to solidify herself as the starting libero for the General's. In the three years that followed, Matusic was captain of the team, earned All-MSAC honors and All-State honors for her three years respectively.

Given her accolades as a high school player, it was only a matter of time before thoughts of playing college volleyball crept into her head.

"It was high school where I really decided I wanted to play in college," said Matusic, "sophomore year was about the time that I decided I could do something with this game."

It was not long after she made this decision that colleges began to take interest in her talents, and the University of Charleston ended up being one of those schools. On her visit here, the team had helped show her around campus, took her to lunch and showed her a day in the life of a UC volleyball player. It did not take long for her to realize that UC was the school for her.

"The real reason I came to UC was for the teammates," Matusic said, "I wasn't a fan of the small campus but when I went to Chipotle after my recruit practice with the team, it just kind of sold me. The girls were so genuine and so nice, and I knew that I could develop those relationships that I think a team is built on."

 After her visit she committed to the University of Charleston Women's Volleyball program and was well on her way to becoming a Golden Eagle.

Matusic came to campus in 2016 for her freshman campaign. For many incoming freshmen, making the jump from high school to college can be intimidating. 

"I was very nervous freshman year. It was a clean slate for me and I walked onto a team where I had no expectations," said Matusic.

The team was in the need for a libero but was unsure about who would fill the role.

"I did not have the expectation to come in as the starting libero. I just wanted to come in and work my hardest for the people next to me," said Matusic.

She continued to work hard and play for the girls next to her, all while competing every day to try and earn the starting position.

By the time season rolled around, it seemed as though her hard work in the gym had paid off. Matusic solidified the starting libero position as a freshman for the Golden Eagles and did not disappoint. She was able to record 545 digs, 92 assists and 16 aces in her freshman season, helping her team reach a 25-13 overall record that year.

Following an excellent freshman season, a new challenge presented itself to her; how to continue to produce for the team at such a high level. For Matusic, being able to continually play at that level was all about her mindset.

"Having the same mindset every year was key," said Matusic, "I came into sophomore year with the mindset that the position is up for grabs. Even though I was the starter last year, someone could out-compete, someone could be better to help make that position better." 

That mindset pushed Matusic. It made her work harder. It drove her to be the best she could be.  

"Kelsey is a workaholic," said assistant coach Olivia Earls, "she comes to the gym every day and is willing to do whatever it takes to get better, she refuses to take days off."

With her determined mindset and work ethic, Matusic was able to hold down the starting libero position for all four seasons of her career.

As the starting libero, she continued to put up numbers similar to her freshman campaign. In 2017, Matusic had 539 digs, 500 in 2018, and sits at 472 digs currently in 2019 with three games left to go in the regular season of her senior year.

Over her last four seasons, Matusic has recorded over 2,000 career digs. A milestone that has been reached by only a handful of past UC players. A feat that is not easily reached for most liberos. 

"I am extremely proud of Kelsey, it is something that she set as a goal for herself, it is something that Kelsey was self-motivated to do on her own," said head coach Jenna Theden, "I think it is something remarkable for libero's to come in and start for four years and I think that is one of the big reasons why she was able to reach a number like 2,000. Kudos to her for being able to solidify that position since her freshman year."

Now that she has reached the goal, Matusic can sit back and take a look at what it means to her.

"This goal means a lot," said Matusic, "I think it kind of puts a number on hard work in a way. I think you have to be a player who comes in and goes into every single game with a mindset that not a single ball is going to drop. I don't think you can get to this number if you don't have that mindset."

Matusic does not want all of the credit though, she believes that this type of milestone is a testament to a lot of hard work from her teammates as well.

"It is not just a number for me, it really is a number for the team throughout the four years. If we didn't have the players playing next to me I wouldn't have had the opportunity to have that many digs," said Matusic, "it is a big team win as it is my own win".

There is no doubt that Matusic has had a great career as a volleyball player, but there is always another side of the coin. Collegiate athletes have multiple responsibilities. Not only are they expected to perform in games, but they are expected to excel in the classroom. For Matusic, academics are of high priority.

"It was not until college, that I knew I wanted to pursue something in medicine. I didn't know if nursing or a physician's assistant was the right route but medicine, specifically a physician, is a career where I can combine teaching and developing that one on one relationship with people,"

said Matusic.

She is currently pursuing a career as a pediatrician. Something she has thought about getting into for many years.

"I love kids, I have coached club teams here for vantage, working closely with kids has always been near and dear to my heart," Matusic said.

Given that Matusic has set a goal for herself to become a doctor, the academic road to reach that goal is strenuous. She has taken a first step in the right direction though, as she was recently accepted into the John C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University.

With that step in the right direction, Matusic's goal is that much closer to becoming a reality.  

"When she got the phone call on the bus, the second she heard 'you're in' and hung up the phone, she collapsed. You could see the relief of her being so proud of herself and relieved beyond words," said Theden.

Getting into med school is not easy. Applicants must take the MCAT (a standardized test for medical college admission), have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, submit multiple letters of recommendation and finally go through a formal interview process. Even after all of that, it is not guaranteed that someone who completed all of these tasks will be accepted. For Matusic, her track record from her time at UC made her an exceptional candidate.

"It is remarkable that Kelsey has been a four-year starter, a captain for two years, and has maintained a 4.0 GPA in the classroom especially as a pre-med student," said Theden, "not only did she have to take care of UC classes, but she was completing internships, getting experience, volunteering, was a peer tutor and was involved in Student Government Association as well. It is just amazing that she is that dedicated."

If you ask Kelsey, she says that being a student-athlete is the reason why she is in the position she is today.

"Being a student-athlete is challenging," Matusic said, "people do not realize the amount of time you are on the bus, or the time you put into practice. Being a student-athlete builds time management skills and also pushes that drive of work ethic. If you work hard on the court, you're going to work hard in the classroom and being a student-athlete is the reason why I am going to medical school."

With medical school rapidly approaching, Matusic is currently finishing her last season as a Golden Eagle. Without her in the picture for next year's team, it will present a challenge to head coach Jenna Theden, and the rest of the coaching staff with the task of filling her position.

"I think replacing Kelsey is going to be near impossible just because of the type of person she is," said assistant coach Olivia Earls, "she is a workhorse and volleyball isn't a job for her. It is all about her love for the game for Kelsey. You can always find skill in a libero, but it is trying to find someone who is a leader the way she is and what she does for this program, but finding someone who encompasses everything she is and does as not only a player but a person will be what makes filling her position so difficult for us." 

Though the team will be sad to see her go, everyone knows what is in store for Matusic down the road   and they could not be more proud.

"I am so proud of her," said Theden, "she has wanted to get into med school and become a doctor since I first met her. Watching her struggle over the four years but be able to persevere is a testament to her work ethic. It sets a great example for a team, if you put in the work and dedication, that you can be super successful in the classroom and on the court."

As for the future, there seems to be only one shared thought by the Golden Eagle coaching staff, and that is that Matusic will go on to reach her academic goals.

"I have no doubt that she will be a doctor one day," said Theden, "I have 150 % confidence that she will be Dr. Matusic".   

Doors have been opened for Matusic. She has made a name for herself as one of the best liberos to play for UC. She has also developed herself academically and has put herself in a position in which she can reach her goals. Volleyball was an outlet for her. It taught her hard work, determination and helped mold her into who she is today. Volleyball does not define her but has helped guide her to this point in her life.