For junior defender Kelsee Crenshaw, soccer has always been a family affair.

Looking at her background, it comes as no surprise that Crenshaw has grown into the force that she is on the soccer field. The sport is a commonality shared among Crenshaw and her three siblings; big brother John, big sister Megan and little sister Gabriella.

There is even a built-in rivalry in the family, with John having played for the University of Washington from 2010-2011.

“Crenshaw is one of our most steady players, our most consistent and most durable,” WSU Head Coach Todd Shulenberger said. “She does her business. There’s nothing over flashy, but she does consistently what we ask her to do.”

Crenshaw began playing at the age of four, and really got going when she joined and spent several years with the Evergreen league in Everett, Washington. She later joined Crossfire Premier and was a part of a club team that was ranked 12th in the nation in 2011.

Marysville Getchell High School (MGHS) opened the year that Crenshaw was entering ninth grade, and Crenshaw made the decision to spend her next four years there because of its new facilities and extracurricular opportunities.

Crenshaw earned four varsity letters with the Chargers soccer team and because the school was newly opened, she easily set the first record books in both track and soccer.

The team captain at MGHS, Crenshaw led her team to its first-ever winning record, going (7-3-3) in league play. A victory in the Chargers first-ever district playoff game followed shortly after.

Crenshaw was a 2013 WesCo North First Team member and all-conference second team in 2011. She also became the all-time leading scorer for Marysville Getchell in 2013 in her senior year.

When it came time to deciding where to play college ball, Crenshaw narrowed it down to two schools: Washington State and San Jose State. Once she visited Pullman, Crenshaw felt that same connection with the school many other prospective students have.

“The environment here really captured me,” Crenshaw said. “When I came here to visit, everyone was so welcoming: the coaches and the team and even the people just walking on the street.”

Crenshaw’s older sister Megan also attended Washington State, making the decision a bit clearer.

Crenshaw started at forwrd with the Cougars her freshman year, the position she played all throughout her career. She was thrown a curveball in her sophomore year when she was moved back to a defensive position as an outside back.

“Having to learn that brand new position in college, where I have never played that position in my life, was the biggest (obstacle),” Crenshaw said.

Crenshaw has now played in 42 games with the Cougars, playing in all 20 her sophomore year. She scored her first collegiate goal against the University of Washington and the 3-1 victory over the Huskies is something she hopes is repeated this year.

Crenshaw is looking forward to getting a second conference victory, and hopes that it will come in Friday’s match against Utah.