Ferndale Volleyball Star Kelsey Wilson Signs National Letter Of Intent

FERNDALE – Kelsey Wilson has a little extra Zip in her step. 

The Ferndale High School senior signed a national letter of intent on Monday afternoon at the school’s media center for a full scholarship to play volleyball for the Zips at the University of Akron.

“Getting a Division 1 scholarship is similar to winning the lottery,” Eagles athletic director Shaun Butler said. “These don’t just get handed out.”

Wilson sat with her parents and younger sister in front of a good-sized crowd of friends, teammates and faculty members. Butler and her head coach Shannon Pietras both briefly addressed the crowd.

Butler stressed Wilson’s impressive accomplishments as a student-athlete. The senior was a member of the National Honor Society and has a grade-point average of 3.83. 

“That is impressive, if you add the work she does for volleyball in season, out of season, also as a soccer player and a member of student government,” Butler said. “That is testimony to her hard work and her dedication.”

Pietras, who coached Wilson for four years at Ferndale, credited the senior with helping transform the Ferndale volleyball program.

As a junior, Wilson helped lead the Eagles to its best finish in school history. They won districts last year and made it all the way to the regional finals. 

“Her biggest improvement came between sophomore and junior years,” Pietras said. “I encouraged her to play club and she came back her junior year with a record year. She was a big reason the team had its most successful postseason run that year.” 

Wilson set career highs, and school records, in her junior year with 518 kills, 142 blocks and 103 aces. She was named the Tribune’s Southeast Oakland County Player of the Year for her strong performance.

Before signing, Wilson also spoke. She thanked her teammates, coaches, Ferndale faculty and administrators as well as her family.

“I’m very honored to have received this scholarship and the opportunity to play in college,” Wilson said. “But I wouldn’t be here without all of you.”

Wilson drew laughs from the crowd for calling her mother her “little manager” during the college selection process.

“I was a little shy about sending emails to coaches,” Wilson said, smiling. “She’d always help put together profiles and send them out. And tell me every night to do it.”

Check back with Ferndale Patch for extended coverage of Wilson's career and accomplishments.