2010 Volleyball Roster
Roster

Melissa Townsend
- Position:
- Defensive Specialist/Libero
- Height:
- 5-2
- Class:
- Senior
- Hometown:
- Topeka, Kan.
- High School:
- Shawnee Heights
2008 Outlook
Enthusiastic and energetic player … Reads the game well … Will serve an expanded role adding depth to the libero and defensive specialist positions.
2007: Freshman Season
Played in 42 games over 18 matches as a defensive specialist in her first year as a Jayhawk … Averaged 0.36 dpg and had five multi-dig performances … Recorded her first career service ace versus Wyoming on Sept. 7 and appeared in all five games … Saw action in all four games at Oklahoma on Sept. 15 … Was perfect in service reception in KU[apos]s victory at Missouri on Sept. 19 and added a pair of digs … Tallied a career-best four digs at Colorado on Nov. 10 and set her first career assist.
High School
Graduated from Shawnee Heights and was coached by Kerry Kapfer … A first team all-state selection (2006) and two-time first team all-city and all-centennial league honoree (2005-06) … Helped the Thunderbirds to a second place finish at state in 2006 … Also league champions in 2006 … Sub-state champs in 2004, 2005 and 2006 … Led her team in digs (350) and highest ace percentage (0.12) as a senior … Is second in the Shawnee Heights single-season record books with a service reception of 2.45 in 2006 … Played under coaches Lindsey Douglas and mother, Ellen Townsend, for the Topeka Juniors club volleyball team.
Personal
Born Jan. 13, 1989 … Parents are Kent and Ellen Townsend … Has a sister, Leslie, and two brothers, Steven and Luke … A sports management major … Sister, Leslie, plays volleyball for in-state rival Kansas State … Grandmother, Joyce Herschell, played volleyball and softball for KU.