Campbell's Kelsey to continue volleyball at New Mexico


EWA BEACH - You won't recognize the name at first, but Ashley Kelsey is one of the top girls' volleyball players in the state.

The Campbell High senior, formerly known as Ashlee Kealoha-Leopoldo, said she will sign a letter of intent to play women's volleyball at perennial NCAA tournament qualifier New Mexico in November.

Kelsey, a 5-foot-11 outside hitter, said she chose the Mountain West Conference school because of its relative proximity to home and the success of the Lobos' program.

"I have a good relationship with the coaches," Kelsey said. "It's a good program. They've been to the NCAA (tournament) nine of the last 10 years."

Kelsey said she also had offers from Santa Clara, Nevada, Xavier, Southern Methodist, Loyola Marymount and New Mexico State. She said will take an official recruiting trip to New Mexico on Aug. 25.

She was noticed by the schools while playing with her club team in a tournament in Las Vegas in February. Kelsey plays for the Imi'ike Volleyball Club in the offseason. According to the Imi'ike club's website, the program was established by the University of Hawaii Wahine volleyball coaching staff.

Kelsey said she had her first and last names legally changed following an adoption. She said she dropped the second "e" from her first name and made it a "y' to make it similar to her new last name.

The Oahu Interscholastic Association girls' volleyball season opens in late August.



Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at [email protected].