Kellie Catanach

Classroom

Catanach is a two-time member of the ACC Academic Honor Roll, which honors ACC student-athletes who maintain a grade point average of at least 3.00 during the academic year. A Psychology major, Catanach has appeared on that list in each of the last two academic years.

Character

Catanach is a natural leader who will serve as team captain for the second straight year in 2011. Coaches and teammates credit her calm, composed demeanor for helping to carry the team through tough situations. Off the court, she is responsible and organized, which allows her to balance her responsibilities as a student-athlete and team captain.

Community

The Duke volleyball program has long been an advocate of community service, and Catanach has taken on a key role in the team’s efforts. She has visited local elementary schools and read to classes as part of Duke’s “Read with the Blue Devils” program, served meals at the Urban Ministries Soup Kitchen in Durham, and has spent time with elderly citizens at The Forest at Duke where they visit and play carpet volleyball. On the court, she has used volleyball to raise money for multiple sclerosis research through Duke’s Pennies for Points program and breast cancer awareness as part of the Dig for the Cure program. She has also raised money for charity through Durham’s Great Human Race and also works annually at Duke’s free volleyball clinic.

Competition

Catanach had one of the best seasons by a Duke player in 2010 and was named ACC Player of the Year and an AVCA All-America selection. Catanach, who has started every match since she stepped on campus as a freshman, led the ACC in assists and assists per set last season while quarterbacking one of the most successful volleyball teams in ACC history. Under her direction as setter and team captain, Duke won its third ACC Championship of the past five years and advanced all the way to the NCAA Regional Final for the first time in program history. Catanach directed a Duke offense that saw five players contribute at least 250 kills and three reach the 350-kill plateau. Her sound decision-making and consistency on the offensive end was rivaled only by her defense. A 6-2 setter, Catanach also averaged 2.13 digs and 0.60 blocks. She also contributed a career-high 29 service aces and enters her senior year ranked third all-time at Duke with 4,105 career assists.