Kelsey Keys begins her second season as an assistant coach with the women's basketball program in 2020-21.
In her first season with Gannon, Key helped the 2019-20 team defy preseason expectations. Originally picked to finish sixth in the preseason polls, Gannon finished 25-6 overall with an 18-4 PSAC record to earn the second seed in the PSAC Tournament. The team went on to win the program's second PSAC Championship and a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament Atlantic Region.
Gannon's 2019-20 success started right out of the gate with a 66-64 win at Elizabeth City State in the PSAC-CIAA Conference Challenge. The Knights went on to open the home schedule with a 93-89 win over Fairmont State. The win over FSU sparked a four-game win streak and a six-game win streak at the Hammermill Center. Gannon won its conference opener vs. West Chester, 80-73, and followed up with an 87-69 win over Millersville on their home court.
After falling to Kutztown for their first conference loss, the Knights rallied with a 69-63 win over Wheeling to spark a six-game win streak. In the stretch, the Knights beat Mansfield, Bloomsburg, Edinboro, Pitt-Johnstown, and Seton Hill before suffering their only home loss of the year to No. 8/15 Indiana. Gannon rebounded beating Clarion 75-55 the following week and won its next six games.
The Knights claimed bragging rights over crosstown rival Mercyhurst after winning both Porreco Pride of Erie Games this season. In the first meeting, Gannon downed Mercyhurst 61-46 led by the Game Changer Tori Obenrader (14p/11r). The Knights cruised to a 76-49 victory in the Hammermill to hold on to the Porreco Cup until next year.
Following the second win over Mercyhurst, Gannon tested No. 4/6 Indiana, but fell 59-54, which would be Gannon's final loss of the 2019-20 season. Gannon closed the regular season with three straight wins over Clarion, Slippery Rock, and California as they secured a No. 2 seed and first round bye in the PSAC Tournament.
Gannon advanced to the PSAC Semifinals with a 67-53 win over cross-county rival Edinboro. For the first time this season, the Knights prepared to play Shippensburg in the semis. Gannon battled for a 74-58 win advancing to the PSAC Championship game. The Knights and Crimson Hawks met for the third time in 2019-20 action. A defensive first half led to a 19-10 halftime score between the top PSAC West teams. Gannon came out of the break scoring 20 points in each of the final two quarters to down No. 7 Indiana, 50-40, for the program's second PSAC Tournament Title.
Following the championship, the Knights learned they would be the No. 2 seed in the Atlantic Region and host a portion of the NCAA Tournament opening rounds. The tournament was ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic ending the season prematurely. Gannon was set to face No. 7 California.
Key helped the 2019-20 squad earn two PSAC West Athlete of the Week honors and seven PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Week honors. Tori Obenrader collected both PSAC West Athlete of the Week honors, while Haley Tewes, Chelsea Rourke, and Obenrader combined for the seven defensive awards.
In addition to the weekly honors, Key helped produce two All-Conference selections. Tori Obenrader was named to the PSAC West First Team, while Chelsea Rourke earned second team honors.
Key arrives at Gannon after spending the 2018-19 season as an assistant at Indiana Wesleyan, where she completed her college basketball playing career from 2014-2017. There, she assisted in all facets of practice planning, leading individual workouts, along with other aspects of recruiting and campus visits.
Also a camp counselor for three years as a student-athlete, Key was a graduate assistant coach for two seasons with Bethel College (Ind.) upon the conclusion of her undergraduate tenure. A 2017 graduate of Indiana Wesleyan with a bachelor’s degree in sports management; she was a participant in a mission’s trip to Poland, where she helped lead a basketball camp for underprivileged children in the area during the summer of 2018.
“I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity that Coach Wright has given me to work on his staff here at Gannon University,” Key said. “Coach Wright is one of the very best in the profession and I’m looking forward to learning and being guided by him. Lastly, I’m excited to get the opportunity to work with the student-athletes here at GU and serving the community of Erie.”
