DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University volleyball team announced the signings of two student-athletes on Wednesday to complete the Huskies' 2018 recruiting class. The Huskies added defensive specialists Kennedy Shelley (Monument, Colo./Lewis-Palmer) and Kelsy Turskey (Prairie Grove, Ill./Prairie Ridge) to finalize this recruiting class.
 
"We're excited to bring in such a balance class: attackers, athletes, setting, and ball control," said NIU head coach Ray Gooden. "This group all come with strong volleyball IQ's and a lot of success at all levels, whether local, regional, and national. All of them have the opportunity to make an immediate impact on our program."
 
Shelley was a part of Lewis-Palmer High School's back-to-back Class 4A Colorado state championship teams in 2016 and 2017. The Rangers were a perfect 29-0 in both seasons. As a senior, Shelley was a First Team All-Pikes Peak Conference selection as well as an Academic All-State Honorable Mention.
 
"Kennedy is a solid defender with good range and instincts," Gooden said of Shelley.
 
Turskey was a four-year letterwinner at Prairie Ridge High School. She was a part of three consecutive regional championships at Prairie Ridge, as the Wolves won at least 20 matches in all four of her seasons. As a senior, Turskey led the Wolves to a 27-8 record and to their sectional championship match.
 
"We like Kelsey's ability to handle the first ball," Gooden said of Turskey. "She'll contribute for us in the back row."
 
Shelley and Turskey are the fifth and sixth additions to the Huskie roster for 2018, joining incoming freshmen Grace Balensiefer (Lafayette, Ind./McCutcheon), Angie Gromos (West Chicago, Ill./West Chicago), and Jasmine Kemp (DeKalb, Ill./DeKalb) who all signed in November and transfer setter Amanda Krahl (Pearland, Texas/St. Agnes Academy/Appalachian State).

--NIU--