Family history brings leadership, dominance to women's volleyball

By: Brandon Gearing

Posted: 10/22/08

10/22/08 - You would never know it if you watched her on the court, but University of Rhode Island women's volleyball captain Caitlyn Welsh has only been playing the game she excels in for a few years.

"I started playing my junior year of high school after I moved from Massachusetts to Narragansett," she said.

The URI junior said she had always been a strong athlete and was looking for a new sport instead of cross-country, which she had given up after competing for two years at her old school.

"I was just looking for something to do to stay in shape for basketball actually," she said.

Welsh's first love was basketball; she had earned all-state honors in both basketball and volleyball, and considered playing collegiate basketball.

She had received a number of offers to play both basketball and volleyball, but chose to play for coach Bob Schneck after being a member of his Rhode Island Juniors club team.

The decision was a little easier for Welsh because of her family history.

"I've always loved URI. My parents are both alumni here and my dad played football here," she said.

Her parents met on campus as well.

"I just always knew I wanted to come here," Welsh said. "It's a beautiful campus. I love it here in the fall; it's just gorgeous."

She has been a starter for the URI team ever since her freshman year.

"Coming in and being the starting outside hitter was a great achievement for me, especially without having much experience," Welsh said.

On the court, Welsh has been a dominating force. She currently has double-digit kills in eight straight contests.

However, if you ask her what her strength is, she'll tell you something different.

"I try to be a leader out on the court. I try to be the go-to player and someone to look up to," she said.

On a team that is mostly freshmen and sophomores, Welsh has many eyes on her every day.

In addition to being the team leader, Welsh has tried to advance her own game by spending the summer improving her vertical jump. As far as progress goes, her multiple kills streak speaks for itself.

Welsh's talent and leadership ability has been tested multiple times this season as URI has been forced to face NCAA power Saint Louis University, in addition to tough opponents like Xavier University and Dayton University.

The Rhody women currently sport a 9-11 record after dropping two games this weekend, but Welsh thinks the team will right its ship very soon.

"I'm expecting a bunch of wins," she said.

The Rams will again have to face conference powers Dayton and Xavier, but Welsh said she thinks they can pull off victories if they keep working hard in practice and performing to potential during games.

Welsh said she likes the challenge of playing both schools.

"It's fun," she said. "If we play like we did last Saturday, we can do it."

When Welsh is not playing volleyball, she says she spends most of her time hitting the books.

"I like to just relax and watch TV, but in reality I have to do a lot of school work for business classes," she said.

Welsh is a finance major and wants to attend graduate school at Yale University.

"I don't really have a dream job, I'm just going to see where this takes me," she said.

Some favorite things include Olympic speed skater Apollo Ono whom she considers an inspiration, as well as playing Guitar Hero and listening to the radio.

"Right now, my favorite song is Disturbia by Rihanna," she said.

Welsh is now spending the rest of her week preparing for her game against Charlotte University this Friday.

"It's an important game," she said.

Welsh and the Rhody women will take on their Atlantic 10 foe at 7 p.m. in Charlotte, N.C.