Joe Kelly

What will you remember most about winning three consecutive state championships in volleyball?

There are so many things. Just having this last run together with these guys was really special. [Former Tiger standout] Eric Hardek said last year that winning his second state title was the best possible end to his career. I guess the thing I will remember most is having the chance to go through this process with the five main seniors who have been playing together since we were 14 years old.

Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?

I’m pretty hygienic, so it’s not like I wear the same socks every time I play. But I do always listen to the same playlist before every match. I have the same warmup routine. If we’re at home and getting ready in the auxiliary gym, I do the same thing every day. If we win a match, I tend to eat the same kind of food I had before the match. I’ll eat the same kind of food for the next couple of weeks.

What about team superstitions?

If we’re traveling to a match, we all sit in the same seat on the bus. This year before the quarterfinals, somebody was in the wrong seat. We all stared at him. Nobody said anything, but he got up and went to his normal seat.

What is something about the seniors on this team that very few people know?

All the seniors scored a 30 or better on their ACTs.

You started club volleyball again just four days after winning the state title. When you do have time to relax, what do you like to do?

Like everybody else I have an X-Box. But the last couple of years there has really been very little time when I could actually relax. When I do have time, I am perfectly content with lying on the couch and watching TV.

Who’s your closest friend on the team?

Jay Hillman. I’ve known him since we were 4 years old. We have gone to school together every day for 14 years. We know just about everything there is to know about each other. Even though he’s not the best player on the team, he busts his butt every day in practice. And the kid is just hilarious. He’s always finding ways to keep everybody laughing.

How do you want to be remembered at WW South?

I just want to be remembered as part of that group that got three state titles in a row, that I was a guy who started on all three state championship teams. I wasn’t going to set any records. I’d have to play another year to even get close to [former WW South setter] Doug Burchett. But I never cared about that stuff. My goal was always to be part of a group that did something no one else has done before.

Coach Bill Schreier has probably had some memorable things to say to you and your teammates during your varsity careers. What stands out most?

After we won the state title in 2007, Coach Schreier said, ‘One is great, but you still have two more to go.’ From that moment on, winning three state titles is all I wanted.