EWA BEACH-In a throw-back to the original days of letter-of-intent signings, Campbell High volleyball player Ashley Kelsey kept ceremony at a more personal level Wednesday at the school's gym.

Kelsey signed her letter of intent with New Mexico. The 5-foot-11 outside hitter/middle blocker gave the Mountain West Conference school her verbal commitment back in July, but made it official by signing in front of people close to her and to those who helped achieve her goals.

"The process leading up to this was like, 'Can't wait, can't wait,'" Kelsey said. "The past couple weeks has been so surreal. It's such a blessing. It's an amazing feeling."

Wednesday was the first day students could sign binding letters to schools that offered them scholarships. Football players' signing period starts in February.

Campbell athletic director Sam Delos Reyes said he wanted to have the ceremony for people who have supported Kelsey in the classroom and on the court. There were only about 50 students - either teammates or from her AVID (Advanced Via Individual Determination) program - teachers, counselors, coaches, administrators and her father, Steve Kelsey. It was done during fourth period, so the students needed waivers to attend.

Kelsey is still relative new to the sport. Although she had attended University of Hawaii volleyball camps as a youngster, she said she didn't start playing organized ball until her freshman year.

"At the end of sophomore year, I started taking a more serious passion about it," she said. "I've always had the passion for volleyball, but I took it more seriously and thought about going to college more my sophomore year."

Kelsey belongs to the Imi Ike Volleyball Club, which was established by the UH Wahine coaching staff. It is a club that plays during the high school offseason.

The Lobos' coach Jeff Nelson is expecting Kelsey to make an immediate impact.

"He wants me to start and he wants me to be a six-rotation player," Kelsey said. "Right now, I'm just trying to refine my skills. We have club (ball) coming up, so hopefully that's what we're going to work on."

Also, Kelsey was recently named OIA Red West Player of the Year. The rest of the all-stars will be posted later.

---