WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Christi Kelsey, Head Coach of the Williams College volleyball team for the past 18 years, is stepping away from her position after the season and will continue her work as a Senior Associate Athletic Director and Assistant Professor of Physical Education. She first stepped into the departmental administration role on an interim basis during the 2025-26 academic year with responsibilities in compliance and sport supervision.
"I am excited that Christi will be continuing her work as a member of our department administrative team as a Senior Associate Athletic Director," said Lisa Melendy, Director and Chair of Physical Education, Athletics and Recreation. "Beyond her successful tenure as the volleyball coach here, Christi has a long history of supporting her colleagues by shouldering administrative tasks in the department. She has a proven record of achievement in both realms, and while I am sad to lose her as a volleyball coach, I am thrilled to have her talents deployed full time in support of the entire department on the administrative side."
During Kelsey's tenure guiding the volleyball team to date, the Ephs have amassed a record of 283-170 (.625) with a 107-62 mark (.633) in the NESCAC, making her the winningest coach in program history. Williams has competed in the NESCAC Tournament each season under Kelsey, winning the conference title three times (2009, '13, '14). She has led the squad to seven NCAA Tournament appearances as well, advancing to the Sweet 16 on four occasions (2009, '13, '14, '22) and the Elite Eight in 2014.
The AVCA Regional Coach of the Year in 2013 and two-time NESCAC Coach of the Year (2013, '15) has mentored players who have earned a total of 15 All-America honors, 20 AVCA All-Region honors, 27 All-NESCAC honors, three NESCAC Players of the Year, two NESCAC Rookies of the Year and one NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year. Kelsey's players have also excelled in the classroom, receiving recognition on the Academic All-NESCAC Team 105 times, while the team as a whole has received the AVCA All-Academic Team Award 14 times — and each of the last 12 years — while ranking in the top 20 percent in GPA among Division III schools on five occasions.
Kelsey currently serves as the NESCAC representative on the AVCA DIII Head Coaches Committee. She also spent four years as the regional chair for the New England region on the NCAA Division III Volleyball National Championship Committee from 2012-16.
"It is difficult to think about transitioning from coaching," Kelsey said, "but I am excited about the opportunity to serve our department in an even greater way for the future in this Senior Associate AD position. It has been an honor to serve as the head coach of this program for the past 18 years. I want to thank [former Williams AD] Harry Sheehy for taking a chance on hiring me many years ago, and Lisa Melendy for all her continued support throughout my coaching career. I also want to say a heartfelt thank you to all our alums, current players, parents and fans.
"I hope I have served as a good steward of the program and helped establish it as one of the premier programs in the country, not only in Division III, but also for the holistic experience that being at a place like Williams can provide for our student-athletes. While I have no doubt we will find a great head coach to lead the program to an even brighter future, the most important thing that will remain at the core of this team and family will be the incredible people who remain here, including our current players, assistant coach Kristin Lough and our amazing support staff."
Williams (12-11, 5-5 NESCAC) next plays at Middlebury (16-8, 6-4 NESCAC) in the NESCAC Tournament quarterfinal at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7. The match will be streamed live through the Northeast Sports Network online portal, nsnsports.net. Earlier this season, on Oct. 10, the Ephs defeated the Panthers at Chandler Gymnasium in Williamstown, 3-1 (22-25, 25-18, 25-22, 25-21), which was the program's 1,000th victory.Â
A national search to fill the volleyball head coaching position will begin immediately.
