Ira R. Herr Athletic Hall of Fame
Kelly Downs '08 set the standard for Blue Jay middle hitters throughout her four-year career with the Blue Jays from 2004-07. Downs amassed 300 or more kills and 100 or more blocks every season, leading the team in blocks four times and kills from her sophomore season on.
Downs' senior season was truly one to remember. She produced 511 kills (3.79 per set), an Elizabethtown single-season record, a career-high 181 blocks and 53 service aces as the Blue Jays went 32-7, won their first MAC Commonwealth championship and ended a 21-year NCAA Division III tournament drought.
The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) named Downs to the All-Mid-Atlantic Region team and she collected All-America Honorable Mention accolades following her senior seasons. Downs and teammate Stacey Wasserman were the first players to earn all-region and All-America recognition from the AVCA in program history.
Downs' name is prominent in Elizabethtown's records. She's the only Blue Jay to record 1,500 career kills, finishing her career with 1,532. Downs also holds the career record for blocks (585), ranks second in kills per set (3.18) and hitting percentage (.352), and third in blocks per set (1.21). The Airville, Pa., native set a program single-match record with 29 blocks against Franklin & Marshall as a freshman on Sept. 1, 2004.
Downs was an All-MAC Commonwealth pick all four years, a First Team member in 2006 and 2007, and conference Player of the Year as a senior. She had matching academic accomplishments, twice being named Academic All-America and in 2007 College Division Academic All-American of the Year.
