John Battle's Kelsey Griffitts

BRISTOL, Va. - The first taste of volleyball was not sweet for John Battle senior Kelsey Griffitts.

“I couldn’t even get a ball over the net from the 10-foot line,” she said.

Instead of getting discouraged, Griffitts resorted to Plan B.

“I just kept working and working until I got better,” Griffitts said.

Thanks to countless hours of practice on all aspects of her game, Griffitts gradually emerged as one of the most potent prep volleyball players in Virginia. Entering Thursday’s Region D championship match against Gate City at Council Elementary School, Griffitts has collected over 1,200 kills, 430 digs, 300 service points and 200 blocks.

The path to success for Griffitts began in the seventh grade when she decided to play volleyball on the club level with the Bristol-based Cobra Juniors. Griffitts also took private lessons from Cobras coach Dale Casey.

“I tried to learn everything I could about the game by working with Dale,” Griffitts said. “I focused on defense at first, then I just kind of found my spot.”

Griffitts added to her package of skills by attending camps and tournaments throughout the Southeast.

“I wanted to be the best player I could be,” Griffitts said.

For the past three years, the left-handed Griffitts has been dominant force on the front row for the Trojans. The 5-foot-11 middle hitter has a low-key personality off the court, but she quickly transforms into a green blur who soars over the net to deliver the ball through multiple blockers.

John Battle coach Gary Griffitts has witnessed the transformation of his daughter into a killing machine. Griffitts replaced Jenny Williams as the Trojan head coach two years ago.

“Kelsey’s intensity level is high,” he said. “If Kelsey makes a mistake or if somebody blocks her, that just makes Kelsey that much more aggressive. You have to be ready to play at all times, and Kelsey definitely has that approach.”

Coach Griffitts also takes a passionate approach to volleyball. He admits that instructing his own daughter presents a unique set of challenges.

“Trying to tell Kelsey things about the game and being a father at the same time is difficult,” he said. “Both of us have gotten better at it, though. I’ve learned to pull back and she’s learned to listen to me – 90 percent of the time.”

The coach has come to trust the instincts of his middle hitter, who overcame a back injury to guide the Trojans to a five-game win over Rye Cove Tuesday.

“With more experience, Kelsey has learned to read and react to things on the court,” he said. “Kelsey knows exactly what she needs to do.”

Coach Griffitts credits clever junior setter Brittni Altmann for establishing a rhythm on offense.

“Brittni has been doing an excellent job all year serving and setting,” the coach said. “As long as we can give Brittni a good pass and not run her all over the court, she will give us a good set.”

For Kelsey Griffitts, there is no refuge from volleyball but she’s not about to complain.

“Yeah, I live with the game,” she said. “My father and I are always talking about volleyball. We discuss things we need to work on, share ideas to improve the team, and talk about practice and game games.”

Griffitts said she was prepared for the fiery approach to coaching after playing under Williams her first two years at Battle.

“Sometimes you just have to imagine as your coach and not your dad,” Griffitts said. “It’s hard playing for my father at times, but overall it’s fun.”

Cindy Griffitts balances the roles of mother, wife and team statistician for the Trojans. According to Cindy, Kelsey’s resolve extends far beyond athletics.

As Kelsey Griffitts entered kindergarten, she was diagnosed as being deaf in her right ear with high frequency hearing loss on the left. Griffitts underwent four years of speech therapy and wears a hearing aid in her left ear to help amplify high-frequency sounds.

Instead of approaching her hearing loss as a disability, Cindy Griffitts said her daughter considers it “a blessing.”

“Kelsey feels because of her hearing impairment, she had to learn to work harder to be able to accomplish the same things other kids did with little effort,” Cindy Griffitts said.

That extra effort has carried over to the classroom, where Kelsey is an adept lip-reader and carries a 4.0 grade-point average.

Griffitts has been a four-year starter at Battle, guiding Trojans to an overall record of 78-16. Nine of those losses have come against Clinch Mountain District rival Gate City. A two-time first-time CMD performer and second-team All-Group A selection last year, Griffitts plans to sign to play volleyball at King College on Nov. 16.

After overcoming her initial trepidation about volleyball, Griffitts has sunk her heart into the sport. In addition to playing on her high school and club team, Griffitts has strived build up her jumping ability through beach volleyball games.

“I played softball for the first time last year, but volleyball is my game,” Griffitts said. “I’ve worked hard at it, and it’s been fun to see my skills progress.”