Kelsie Wills
Kelsie is the only daughter in the talented sporting family of the “Wills-Preston” clan.
During her time at school she achieved high honours in a wide sphere of sporting pursuits. Her decision to follow volleyball would not have been easy as she was a top netballer, basketballer, tennis player, swimmer, cross country runner and an all-round athlete. While at school Kelsie played volleyball for New Zealand Secondary Schools and was a Waikato Representative. Not only did she play full court volleyball, she was a very talented and successful beach volleyballer, representing New Zealand in U17 and U19 beach and indoor volleyball.
Her netball highlight was being selected in a New Zealand training camp for in 2008. In tennis Kelsie was the school champion for each of her five years and was a Waikato tennis representative. As a Year 13 student Kelsie was the athletics champion and came 2nd in the swimming championships.
I’m not sure how she had time to study but she obviously had the ‘drive’ as she achieved NCEA Levels 1, 2 and 3, was the Weka House Leader and was named Sportswoman of the Year in 2010.
On leaving she headed for the States and won a volleyball scholarship to Hofstra University in New York. As well as playing volleyball she is studying for a degree in accounting and is due to graduate in 2015.
In 2012 Kelsie was selected as most outstanding player of the Colonial Athletic Association tournament and was named Sports Imports/AVCA Division 1 National Player of the year.
When Kelsie graduates she intends to continue with her volleyball and would like to play overseas for a number of seasons. However she is keen to return to NZ eventually.
The ‘Wills’ family have attended Matamata College for numerous generations. Kelsie became the latest graduate in 2010. Her brother Beau is also in the States on a tennis sporting scholarship at the Hofstra University. Older brother Zeb is in the dairy farming business as is Dad, Grant (profiled). Mum, Karen Preston is a new entrant teacher at Walton Primary. Kelsie credits her mum and dad for her success on and off the court. They coached the college basketball teams for many years and have been great support to all three kids in their sporting endeavours!