Cailyn Ross begins volleyball career with Kean University

Cailyn Ross, a two-time all-state middle hitter from Whitefish, is attending Kean University, in Union, New Jersey, on an academic scholarship.

Ross committed to Kean last October.

The 6-foot-1 standout also earned all-conference honors her junior season, which was shortened by injury.

Kean, a Division III school, does not offer athletic scholarships.

Kean last year won the New Jersey Athletic Conference title for the first time since 2001 and advanced to the NCAA Division III tournament, losing to Johns Hopkins University in the first round.

Kean finished the season 28-11.

Ross visited Kean last spring. She also looked at Queens College in New York and the New York Institute of Technology on Long Island. Both schools have volleyball programs.

“I love the campus here,” Ross said. “The coach was very welcoming. He really made it feel like he wanted me.”

Ross, a 4.0 student, graduated from WHS on Jan. 8, arrived at Kean on Jan. 11 and started classes on Jan. 16.

Ross said volleyball workouts begin next week at Kean. The spring season, players practice three days a week and compete in two tournaments, starts in March.

Ross said she is one of three new recruits.

“A middle (hitter), a senior, was their best player (and she graduates),” Ross said. “That is the biggest hole they have to fill. Other than that, I think we will be really good next year.”

Ross will major in graphic design/media arts.

“Another reason I came out here was to be close to New York City,” she said.