By Rubin E. Grant
From the moment Kelsi Hobbs arrived at Samford University from John Carroll Catholic High School, she had one goal in mind: leave her mark on the Bulldogs’ volleyball program.
“The seniors on the team when I was a freshman left a legacy,” Hobbs said. “We weren’t the best team going into the season, but we were all-in and they taught us what we needed to do to succeed. The culture was amazing.”
The seniors led Samford to the 2016 NCAA Tournament and left an indelible impression on the freshman Hobbs.
“I decided my senior year I wanted to leave the same legacy,” Hobbs said.
Hobbs accomplished her mission as a senior this fall, even though her career didn’t end the way she wanted.
The Bulldogs reached the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year and the third time with Hobbs as part of the program. But their bid to advance beyond the first round for the first time didn’t happened. Last Thursday in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Samford dropped a 3-0 (21-25, 12-25, 22-25) decision to Louisville in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at E.A. Diddle Arena.
Samford finished the season with a 24-6 record.
The 6-foot-1 Hobbs, an outside hitter, had 10 kills and seven digs in defeat, but she relished the opportunity to compete in the tournament even if the Bulldogs’ stay was brief.
“It was a great experience,” Hobbs said. “It’s an exclusive tournament, with only 64 teams, and everyone wants to win. It was fun to be out there with my sisters one last time. (The game) didn’t go the way we wanted it to, but we can’t let the outcome overshadow this whole season and the work we’ve put in for years to make this happen.
“As seniors, we could not be more grateful for a season like we had. We opened a lot of doors for this program, and we know that we are so proud of each other and of the team. To get to come back to the NCAA Tournament is such a blessing, and we realize that.”
Hobbs was at the forefront of all the Bulldogs accomplished this season. She led them to the regular-season Southern Conference championship with a 15-1 record in league matches, the best record in conference play in school history.
Hobbs also led the SoCon in both total kills (397) and kills per set (3.89). She had double-digit kills in all but one of Samford’s regular-season games. She posted double-doubles, with double digits in both kills and digs, 10 times.
Her dominance earned her the 2019 Southern Conference Player of the Year award, but she considered it a team achievement.
“That was so awesome,” Hobbs said. “Since my freshman year, I’ve played with some amazing players and had some amazing coaches. They have pushed me to be my best.
“This year is so special. It’s not an individual thing. It’s an award for the team. I got the award and had good stats, but if it wasn’t for the passers getting the ball to the setters and other hitters, I couldn’t do what I did without any of them. It’s not just one girl who played well.”
Hobbs continued her brilliance in the postseason, leading the Bulldogs to three wins and the SoCon tournament title as Samford earned the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
In the Bulldogs’ 3-0 first-round win against The Citadel, Hobbs posted 10 kills and six digs. She had 23 kills and seven digs in a 3-2 win against Furman in the semifinals. In the championship match against East Tennessee State University, Hobbs recorded a career-high 26 kills and 12 digs in the Bulldogs’ 3-2 victory.
For her efforts, Hobbs was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament and later was named the Sports Imports/American Volleyball Coaches Association Player of the Week.
Success in the Legacy Department
Samford coach Keylor Chan praised Hobbs for the impact she had on the Bulldogs’ volleyball program during her career.
“Kelsi has an amazing story in collegiate volleyball,” Chan said. “She is a hometown kid who has helped build an amazing culture and legacy at Samford.
“Kelsi’s dedication to learning and growing in the craft of volleyball has laid the foundation for future generations of Bulldogs. It has been a blessing to coach and lead Kelsi these past four years.”
Hobbs is on track to graduate in the spring as a sports administration major and marketing minor. She eventually would like to work in sports marketing for a team, but she hopes that will be a while.
“In the near future, I don’t think I am finished with volleyball,” she said. “I am thinking about going to graduate school at a school that has a beach volleyball program.”
She mentioned UAB, Mercer and Chattanooga as possibilities. Another option is going overseas.
“I want to keep playing,” Hobbs said.
