By Catherine Wang

Volleyball player and team captain Kellie Barnum ’11 committed to Boston College Oct. 21.

Barnum’s recruiting process began during the spring of her sophomore year.

“I would e-mail the coaches in whose programs I was interested, and we would talk occasionally,” she said.

The summer between her junior and senior year, Barnum and her dad traveled to about 10 schools where there was “mutual interest” to meet with coaches, she said.

“From this point on, the process becomes one of finding a good fit for both side,” Barnum said. “The team has to have a need for the player, and the player has to be a good fit with the rest of the team.” Barnum wanted to attend a school with a good combination of athletics and academics, school spirit, and good location.

She took an official visit to BC in early October. She watched the team play a game, spent the weekend with them, and met with the coaching staff several times.

“I had a great time with the players and other BC students, and learned more about the program and what my role would be next year,” she said. “It was a great weekend.”

What attracted Barnum to BC was its combination of athletics and academics, its school spirit, and its location.

“Its Boston location puts it in a stimulating learning and social environment in close proximity to BU, Harvard, MIT, and Northeastern,” Barnum said.

Less than a week after her official visit, Barnum was “thrilled” to call BC’s volleyball coach to commit. She was relieved to end a recruiting process she called “long and difficult,” but “excited” by the possibilities ahead of her.

“[The day I committed] was a great day to say the least, knowing that I could pursue both the athletic and academic goals I had been working towards for a long time,” Barnum said.