In her final season as a fifth-year senior, Amarillo High graduate and now Ferris State middle blocker Chelsie Freeman is enjoying a tremendous volleyball career at one of the top Division II programs in the country.
Not only is Freeman a part of a very good Ferris State squad, but Freeman’s hard work has made her a go-to leader for the No. 12-ranked Bulldogs that have started the season a perfect 7-0.
Freeman, who has graduated with a bachelor’s at Ferris State in psychology, small business and entrepreneurship, could have called it a career last winter, but she wasn’t quite satisfied with hanging up the uniform just yet.
“I went down with an ankle injury during an NCAA Tournament regional game last year,” Freeman said. “I was unable to finish the season. On top of that and knowing we were returning a veteran team with a talented freshman class, I knew that I wanted to come back and help us reach the goals we have set.
“It was hard knowing my career could have ended on an injury and I wasn’t ready for that to be my last game. More importantly, this team and this program have impacted my life so much. I want this season to be special and something I will remember forever.”
“It was a hard decision to leave Angelo State and get into the transfer portal because of the unknown,” Freeman said. “Once I was in the portal it was smooth sailing. It was the typical recruiting process, and I just ended up loving Ferris State. I love the program and the culture is amazing. The relationships are amazing, and the coaching staff is so great. This is my second family and what makes it even better this is a great program.”
Longtime Ferris State head coach Tia Brandel-Wilhelm said at the time her team was looking for a middle blocker and were glad to find a player like Freeman.
“It was a great fit,” said Brandel-Williams, who is in her 29th season coaching the FSU volleyball program. “Chelsie was in the transfer portal and we needed a middle. We really loved how Chelsie would go behind the setter and runs the slide. I thought she had heat on her swing, and we really thought she was going to be great for the team culture.”
Freeman has proved Brandel-Williams right ever since. Including the seven games this season, the 6-foot Freeman has played in a career 77 games totaling a career 458 kills with 241 blocks. This season alone, Freeman has already stacked up 59 kills and 38 blocks.
“We’re setting Chelsie more this year than we have,” Brandel-Wilhelm said. “She had an excellent spring, and I think Chelsie has grown in 100 ways as a player and an athlete. Her physicality is a lot stronger, but she’s worked on her mental conditioning and put herself in a situation where she can sustain excellence. That’s a big part of what we’re able to do.”
Freeman agreed with her coach’s comment.
“I’m attacking more and I’m being quick,” Freeman said. “I feel I get up in the air quicker and react faster. That has made a world of difference. My confidence is so much better and that’s something we work on as a program.”
Being home in front of her friends and family, Freeman was on another level helping the Bulldogs to a 3-0 mark at the tournament racking up 31 kills including 15 in a victory against West Texas A&M. Freeman also added 10 blocks with six digs.
“It was cool and exciting to be playing back home,” Freeman said. “Playing in front of my family was special. Getting to play against a lot of players I know was fun too. It was a great trip full of people I love.”
Brandel-Wilhelm could tell how meaningful a trip it was for her valuable senior.
“It was special for Chelsie to play back home where her parents, all of her family and friends could come see her,” Brandel-Wilhelm said. “She loved getting to play here and she’s excited to have this fifth year to have this foundation to put everything together.”
