Kelsey Bonewits' records make mark on Panthers program

GRIFFITH | Kelsey Bonewits has already broken three school records at Griffith.

As a junior, she set marks for both single-season and career kills, plus career solo blocks. Besides adding on to each of those totals, Bonewits has another standard in mind as she heads into her senior season.

"Megan Tuttle, my setter, wants to break the assist record, so we're going to help her do that," Bonewits said.

With her imprint already on the program, Bonewits could be leaving a legacy.

"She's just setting the bar for the rest of the girls coming up in this program," coach Cathy Dilbeck said. "She's such a great role model on the court. They see her level of play, and since she's set that bar for the team, they want to get there."

When asked how she spent the offseason improving, Bonewits, a basketball player and Dunes club volleyball player, said her biggest work went into her leadership. She became more vocal, talked more and worked on teaching the game.

The Panthers are slated to start a freshman and sophomore around their senior middle hitter, both of whom look to Bonewits for guidance. 

"I want to help the team and help them go as far as they can go, too," the 6-foot Bonewits said. "It's about being a leader. I plan to go to college next year to play volleyball, so I want to work on that (part of the) game to get better and have that leadership to make everyone around me better."

"It's not just (them) asking me, but they go to Kelsey, too, to ask, 'What should I do on this set?' or 'Where should I be on this pass?'" Dilbeck said. "It's a game-changer. That can be a difference between winning a match and not winning a match with the chemistry and leadership she brings to the court."

Bonewits has already set her sights on playing in college, having given her verbal commitment to Wayne State University. The Michigan school is close enough that her family can continue to see her play, but far enough away that Bonewits said she can still feel the college experience.

She's as comfortable there as she is playing in both the front and back rows -- Bonewits recorded 173 digs and 40 aces as a junior.

"She wants the most for this team," Dilbeck said. "She shows how much she wants to win that the players around her want to win, too."