Kelsay doesn’t have the tenure Munson does in her second season at MSU, but she has already made tremendous strides after leading the Spartans to their best season since 2017 last year. In 2025, Kelsay's squad tallied a 10-0 record in non-conference play. This year, MSU is 6-0 with three wins against Power Four opponents.

After the game, Kelsay emphasized what Munson has meant to her during her time coaching for MSU.

“To me, it’s a privilege to play against this woman who has mentored me and done really special things at Western Michigan,” Kelsay said. “They crush it in the MAC every year. And so, what a privilege to bring them here and to play against and compete against them."

Kelsay was also a two-time captain for the Spartans from 2010 to 2013. She helped MSU to back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances in 2012 and 2013.  

This is the second time these coaches have gone head-to-head. The Spartans defeated the Broncos on the road last season in four sets. Michigan State hasn’t given up a set since its first match when the Spartans bested perennial NCAA Tournament team Miami in a five-set thriller. 

Tuesday's match started off evenly, with both teams picking up errors early on. As the first set progressed, MSU led 18-9, thanks to the tenacity of Spartans junior middle blocker Hayley Ogden and outside hitters Alanna Bankston and Karolina Staniszewska. The Spartans outlasted the Broncos 25-18 in the first set. 

WMU came out in the second set matching more of MSU's energy. The set was fairly close throughout until the Spartans went on a run, taking the second set 25-19 because of crucial digs from sophomore setter Malayah Long and emphatic kills from senior middle blocker Zora Hardison. Bankston continued where she left off in the first set, racking up more kills of her own. 

After dropping consecutive sets, the Broncos hoped to rally in the third, but the energy of Breslin Center was overwhelming, and WMU came up short 25-14. A major contributor to the Broncos' downfall was their continuous errors. The Spartans capitalized on this and picked up the win with a memorable game-sealing kill from freshman outside hitter Madi Andrews.  

Kelsay stressed that continual improvement will be crucial if MSU wants to continue its momentum. 

“If we keep getting better, whether that's on game days, whether that’s on our practices or even our light days tomorrow, that will be the testament that we're doing the right things," Kelsay said.

MSU will head to Morehead, Kentucky this weekend to compete in the Morehead State Invitational. The Spartans face Cincinnati at 4 p.m. on Sept. 11 and Morehead State at 2 p.m. on Sept. 12. Both games will be streamed live on ESPN+.