Senior Spotlight: Kaley Rammelsberg

When Indiana Head Coach Steve Aird began recruiting Kaley Rammelsberg out of the transfer portal, one thing stuck out immediately.

She's a really good volleyball player but a better human being," Aird said.

Following the COVID-19-shortened year in 2020-2021, Rammelsberg was ready to look for something different.

Rammelsberg eventually settled on IU for her final three years of eligibility after a pair of outstanding seasons, helping to lead High Point to a 38-14 record and a NCAA tournament appearance in two years.

She was the 2019 Big South Freshman of the Year after posting 67 kills and 102 total blocks in her premier campaign at the collegiate level.

The Westerville, Ohio native quickly bought into the idea of what IU was building in Bloomington.

A school with a limited volleyball history in the toughest conference in the nation brings challenges to any coach and program.

But Rammelsberg believed the idea and jumped on board, joining in 2021 along with libero Paula Cerame who came from Florida.

"Steve, really. He sold me on the program and everything he's working towards," Rammelsberg said. "It's not one of the notable programs but I want to work with this team to be one of those top-tier teams. The work-ethic and vision that he has for the program, that's what drew me here."

Her impact has been instantaneous since arriving in Bloomington.

One of the premier athletes in the program and in the conference, Rammelsberg has been every bit as advertised for the Hoosiers.

Through nine matches this year, she's tallied 62 kills and 20 blocks. She hit .476 with 11 kills in a win over Western Carolina and had 7 kills with a .636 hitting percentage against Sam Houston.

"She attacks everything diligently," Aird said. "Hyper-competitive but a very good kid."

On a team that is relatively young from an age standpoint, Rammelsberg is among the veterans for the Hoosiers.

Her joyous personality and tenacious desire to improve makes the ideal player to represent the program in IU's journey to be back in the NCAA Volleyball Tournament.

"I think we've been doing really well so far," Rammelsberg said. "We've hit a few bumps in the road but we're showing a lot of potential. I think we can go pick off some good teams. We have a good bunch of girls, and we work really hard.

A multi-sport athlete in high school, Rammelsberg was also an outstanding high jumper back at Big Walnut High School.

As a senior, she cleared 1.68m/5-6 and earned a spot on the state podium.

She believes that helped improve her technical and mental approach when it comes to volleyball. In an individual sport, she was responsible for keeping herself in check at all times.

The high jump also helped improve her ability to jump off one foot on the slide when a ball is set to the outside.

"Kaley is someone that can take over the match physically," Aird said.

Her fiery personality has paired well with fellow middle blocker Savannah Kjolhede, providing the Hoosiers with a strong group in the front row.

The pair thrive on resounding kills and momentum-shifting blocks. They also enjoy pumping each other up, something that often brings the rest of the team along with them.

"I love Sav," Rammelsberg said. "We're both hot-headed but we'll look at each other with that special look because we both know the pains of being middles."

Rammelsberg will be back for the 2023 season to use her COVID-19-waiver year with the Hoosiers.

An important part offensively and defensively for the Hoosiers, Aird hopes to see parts of the offense run through her.

He believes she's got All-Big Ten potential in the near future and potentially a career playing professionally when she wants it.

The times when IU's offense is humming, Rammelsberg is at her most dangerous.

If IU is to continue pushing towards a winning record for the first time since 2018, Rammelsberg will have to be at the center of that.

When the ball is lined up and on time, she's as good as anyone," Aird said.

Indiana University Athletics

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Paula Cerame

Savannah Kjolhede

Kaley Rammelsberg

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