By: Norma Camacho
KENNESAW, Ga. - In her first year, Kaeley Walz is stepping into the spotlight as a freshman setter for Kennesaw State Volleyball. Sharing the setter role, she finds herself in the center of the Owls' offense, which calls for precision, leadership, and fast thinking. However, for Walz, stepping into this role feels natural.
Walz's sports-loving family influenced her journey to the court. Her mother, Kim Walz, a former volleyball player at Penn State, and father, Jeff Walz, the women's basketball head coach at Louisville, ensured that athletics were a constant in her upbringing. However, it was her mother's gentle nudge that eventually led her to the volleyball court. "My mom made me try out in sixth grade. I was going to play tennis, but then she forced me to try volleyball," Walz shared with a laugh. "From there on, I loved it."
Playing on high-level club and high school volleyball teams helped to mold her competitive spirit and equipped her for the demands of college volleyball. "Playing at such a high level in high school gave me a good sense of what to expect, but college volleyball is definitely on another level," Walz said. "The speed, the strength—everything just goes up a notch."
For Head Coach Keith Schunzel, Walz's talent was clear from the beginning."Kaeley just has this natural ability," Schunzel said. "She was young in the setting position but did so many things instinctively—how she moved and talked to her teammates. Her athleticism and potential were undeniable."
Despite being a freshman, Walz has already shown she can handle the demands of leading the team's offense. Schunzel claims that Walz's readiness for the role is unlike anything he's seen before.Â
"She's the most prepared freshman setter we've ever had," Schunzel remarked. "She still has a lot to learn, but the level she's playing at now as a freshman is pretty awesome. Her consistency and ability to manage the game is impressive for someone just starting her college career."
The welcoming environment solidified her decision to come to Kennesaw State. "When I stepped on campus and got to know the team, they were all so welcoming, and I knew I would fit in here," she said. "The transition has been better than I thought. It's obviously a challenge juggling school and sports, but the support system here makes a big difference."
Although Walz is still in the early stages of her collegiate career, she's already exhibiting leadership qualities that could make her a valuable contributor to Kennesaw State's volleyball program. "Even as a freshman, I try to be a consistent presence on the court," she said. "I think it's important that my teammates can rely on me to stay level-headed, no matter the situation."
Her growth mindset is something Coach Schunzel sees as a strength. "Kaeley's not just talented—she's coachable. She's constantly looking to improve, and she listens," Schunzel said. "We're excited to see how much she can develop over the next few years."
For Walz, the goal is simple: to keep improving and help her team succeed. "I want to keep finding my footing here and continue to get better," she said. "And I want to help the team in any way I can."
Walz has made a huge impact on the Owls already in her freshman season, as she is currently serving as the team's starting setter. One of five players to have appeared in all 41 sets this season, she is averaging a team-high 5.61 assists per set along with a 1.71 digs per set average for KSU. This past week, she notched the first two double-doubles of her career, which included a career-high tying 31 assists and a career-high 12 digs against Furman.
KSU is back in action on Friday night when the Owls host New Mexico State in their Conference USA opener at 7 p.m. in the Convocation Center.
