Kasper leads No. 7 Pirates in Group III play
By: Justin Feil
Michael Adams likes having someone with the athletic background of Kelly Kasper on his West Windsor-Plainsboro South girls’ volleyball team.
In the Pirates’ biggest moments, it is Kasper the team looks to and she’s happy to do her part for the good of the team.
"She’s definitely a player," said Adams, South’s head coach. "She’s my best all-around athlete on the team. She plays so many sports and she’s so good at so many sports. She understands when the pressure is on, she has to step up and make plays."
The Pirates will be looking for plays from Kasper, a senior co-captain along with Laura Schoenfeld, as they host the winner of today’s first-round matchup between 10th-seeded Northern Highlands and 23rd-seeded Emerson 5 p.m. Thursday in the Group III state tournament. The Pirates are the No. 7 seed at 16-6 after dropping a 2-1 decision to Voorhees on Wednesday.
"The first game, even though we are ‘blindfolded,’ I think our team is ready for whatever comes at us," Kasper said. "I’m sure we’ll do the best we can do if we faced any team. We have a thing going where we want to win against any team. We want to work our hardest and do our best."
For Kasper, there’s more than just a passing interest in the tournament. Her athletic background will again return her to the basketball court this winter and the softball field in the spring, but it is volleyball where she sees her brightest future. After playing at least those three sports for the past three years, she’s ready to commit to just volleyball after her senior season.
"I love volleyball," she said. "I want to do it in college."
Kasper has been taking college visits in search of the perfect fit to continue her career. And she’s hoping to be taking some strong accolades wherever she ends up. Despite Wednesday’s loss, Kasper is hopeful that the Pirates have everything in place for an extended run. With a win Thursday, WW-P South would likely meet No. 2 seed Old Tappan next Tuesday.
"I think we’re doing very well," Kasper said. "We’ve been becoming more of a team. We are starting to work together. Practices are getting better."
Kasper could be happy win or lose because she knows it won’t be her final match. But she’d like to go out with a banner.
"As long as we work hard, I will be happy," Kasper said. "My goal and my team’s goal is to win states. It’s been that every year. We work hard and see how far we go. As long as we’re working hard, I’m OK with whatever we do.
"I’ve talked to many of the players, especially Laura Schoenfeld, about it. She and I both play club. We have been friends with and played against some of the other teams. We did play (top-seeded) Livingston in a match. We didn’t win, but we got a good idea how they play. We realize we have to step up to play them. That’s going to be our goal for the next few days and we’ll strategize over what we should do."
Undoubtedly, part of the Pirates’ strategy is to get Kasper the ball, both in her right-side hitter position and also as a setter. Kasper’s athleticism comes in handy regardless of where she is on the court.
"She is so important," Adams said. "It’s shown through the season. When people are struggling, she’ll take the game into her hands. She knows the right time to hit a ball and when to dump a ball. She’ll come through to make plays for us. She’s been a fantastic player for us."
One that won’t feel the pressure even as it would seemingly peak in the state tournament atmosphere. She started out like many Pirates players as a freshman in the program, but made her way up quicker than most to join the team. Now she’s playing in her third state tournament as a go-to player.
"Pressure is something I don’t really feel in volleyball season," Kasper said. "Volleyball is such a team sport, one person cannot win a game. I really don’t feel pressure. We all should feel pressure. All are pieces of the puzzle. I don’t feel pressure on myself because I have to make sure I can trust other players to do their own job and I’ll do mine."
Kasper’s job changes from point to point, even in the middle of points. She’s developed into one of the best hitters, but also takes great pride in her setting.
"I love to hit," Kasper said. "I love hitting because you get the cheers from your team. And I love getting credit for setting the ball. You know nothing works without you. You did something to benefit the team."
"When I set, I have to make sure my sets get to the right place," she added. "When I hit, I have to make sure I end the point."
Kasper is called upon frequently to earn the Pirates points. But she remembers always that she doesn’t have to do it alone. When their passing is on and they are focused, it’s a tough combination to beat.
"We’ve got the potential to have some fun in the tournament," Adams said. "We’re a good team and we should hope to play well. We can play with anybody."