MILWAUKEE – Kelsey Peterson, assistant director of athletics and head volleyball coach at Mount Mary University for the previous six seasons, has announced that she is stepping down from her position at MMU. Peterson made the decision after deciding to join Carthage College as assistant athletic director.

"This decision wasn't an easy one," said Peterson. "I am sad to leave because of how much I'll miss the great people I got to work with in athletics and in other departments, and the student-athletes I've come to know very well at Mount Mary."

Peterson joined the Blue Angels in 2012 after she earned her Masters of Science in Health and Kinesiology at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville earlier in the year. Peterson then took over the head coaching duties in 2012 for the Mount Mary University volleyball team.

The team quickly responded to the new coach and finished with the third best season in MMU history at 13-14 in 2012. Peterson has been at the helm of the volleyball program ever since. The six-year coach has grown the program and brought the team to their first ever NCAA postseason conference tournament in 2015.

After digging into her new team and the community of Mount Mary, Peterson promptly moved to a multi-role position at MMU becoming the assistant athletic director and the senior woman administrator in 2013.

In addition to a number of unofficial titles, Peterson also worked as an advisor for the school's chapter of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Under Peterson's guidance, SAAC developed a long-lasting relationship with Special Olympics Wisconsin. Multiple fundraisers have yielded thousands of dollars in donations to Special Olympics Wisconsin ranging from the annual Special Olympics Ball hosted by MMU to multiple Polar Plunges and beyond.

As many moves in collegiate athletics, this one comes with mixed emotions for all in the community. Many in the community already have expressed their happiness for Peterson, but the dedicated and encompassing commitment from Peterson will be very difficult replace.

"We are very excited for Kelsey as she moves on to this very well-deserved opportunity at Carthage," said Mount Mary University Director of Athletics Marc Heidorf.

"Kelsey has been integral to the growth and stability of our department over the past seven years. Her volleyball program focused on a 'BLUE Collar / GOLD Standards' approach and that is exactly what she brought our Athletic Department. We thank her for the time and personal investment she made to the Blue Angels and wish her nothing but the best in her new challenge."

Peterson will begin her transition to her new position during July while a national search begins to fill the position.

"I'm thankful for all the opportunities I have been given these past six years; they all have prepared me for this next step," added Peterson. "So while I am excited for the challenges I'll face at Carthage, it is definitely bittersweet."