Torrance, USA, February 22, 2016 - It’s already been a blink of an eye career for Jennifer Kessy, but in 2016 she promises to keep her focus on everything around her.
The chase for Olympic gold figures to be the last one for Kessy as she sets out on the FIVB World Tour trying to qualify for the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics with partner Emily Day. The team will begin their campaign at the Maceió Open from February 23-28.
And as usual, with the action about to begin, Kessy is fired up.
“We’re excited to start the season in Brazil,” Kessy said. “I’m ready to get my tan on, ready for some coconuts and ready for the beach.
“When I write a check, I’m ‘Where did the time go?’ These last four years just flew by so it is crazy it is 2016 already.”
After capturing silver with April Ross in the London 2012 Games, Kessy took a year off to give birth to daughter Aila, then returned for the 2015 season with Day. They endured some ups and downs through the season as they adjusted their games to each other, and they didn’t finish higher than fifth place until they closed their year with a bronze medal in the FIVB Antalya Open.
That was their springboard to 2016. They brought in a new coach, Jose Loiola, and Kessy’s husband, Andy Ces, is also in their corner.
“As a new team last year we didn’t have a lot of time because I was coming back from pregnancy, so it was a lot about getting in shape and we did what we could,” Kessy said. “We changed some coaching staff this year. We’re working with Jose Loiola, an amazing player who was working with Nick (Lucena) and Theo (Brunner) before they split up, so I think we were very lucky to grab him. My husband Andy has been at every practice and is really helping us on our mental game.”
On the court, their task seemed simple enough. The 38-year-old Kessy would be the steadying force for the 28-year-old Day, who had to learn how to receive virtually every serve from their opponents.
It was a different role for both players. When partnered with Ross, it was Kessy seeing the majority of the serves. They even tried to figure out which side each player would be more comfortable playing, though this year, they’re not going to fret about that. If the situation calls for it, they’re willing to play on either side of the court.
Emily Day and Jennifer Kessy at the Antalya Open in Turkey in 2015“I think Emily connects really well with Jose and has improved a ton on her passing and she’s ready to get every serve,” Kessy said. “She’s ready and I’m ready to do what we have to do to get to the Olympics and win.
“I think it’s a good weapon to have to be able to sideout from both sides and we’ll see. If one of us is siding out better on one side, we’ll switch and do that. Every day we practice both sides, setting from both.
“She was thrown into the fire last year, that is for sure. She played in every single event, she got served almost every ball and she will be better for it this year and/or in 10 years. I told her no one in the beginning can sideout every time. I still can’t sideout every time. It’s just what you do on the next play. It’s all these little things that she’s learning and she’s going to be a fantastic player.”
They’ll start the season in late February at the FIVB Maceio Open before hitting the Rio Grand Slam and the Vitoria Open. It’s a quick start to the season but Kessy is ready.
“That’s 39 years of crazy life, crazy hard work and the last two years especially,” Kessy said. “It’s a good amount of sacrifice, a good amount of time away from my daughter, so that’s why I want to make it count.”