Rancho Cucamonga volleyball standout Kortnee Nelson has decided to study and play at NCAA Division III Kean University (N.J.).
The 5-foot-8 defensive specialist/libero learned about the school through a recruiting showcase that was held in Las Vegas and coincided with a club tournament in which she was competing that was also held there.
Nelson went for a visit and liked what she saw. She was also considering Cal State Easy Bay as well as a handful of other small schools.
“It was completely different than what I am used to on this coast,” she said. “I like that there is a change of seasons and how diverse the school is. I really liked the people.”
Nelson did not draw a lot of playing time for a very talented Cougar team that was the top team in the Inland Valley but says playing on the other side of the net from some very good players helped her prepare.
“I got a chance to play against very good players in practice every day and tried to take advantage of that,” she said.
Nelson also progressed in the sport through participation in club ball. She spent four years playing for Club West but played the last two seasons with Rancho Valley Volleyball Club.
Nelson plans to major in psychology.
