Founders Federal Credit Union is proud to support women's sports programs at USC Upstate; please enjoy the latest feature on USC Upstate Volleyball presented by Founders FCU. 

There’s a really good chance, based on the Haneline DNA, that freshman middle blocker Kensley Haneline will one day go viral or become an influencer. Her family has a habit of popping up on national television, from America’s Funniest Home Videos to Family Feud, and even boasts a TikTok-famous grandfather who racks up millions of views.

But until that day comes, USC Upstate is more than happy to have Haneline doing her damage between the pins.

For now, the Shelby, North Carolina native is busy carving out her own spotlight as one of the most impactful freshmen in the Big South Conference and a foundational piece of a rapidly rising Spartans volleyball program.

Close to home, right where she belongs

Shelby sits just 40 miles from Spartanburg, a distance that proved critical in Haneline’s recruitment.

“I didn’t think I wanted to go somewhere that close at first,” Haneline said. “I was getting calls from schools way up north and really far away. I thought that’s what I wanted.”

But as the process narrowed, USC Upstate kept coming back into the picture. The connection ran deeper than most. Justin Sanders, one of the Spartans’ coaches, had previously coached Haneline at the club level. She knew his style. She trusted it. And she believed in the vision head coach Ali Skayhan presented during their conversations.

Then life intervened.

Right as Haneline was preparing to go somewhere far from home in her recruitment, her brother and sister-in-law found out they were expecting a baby. Suddenly, distance felt different.

“I’m super close with my family,” she said. “When that happened, it just made me realize I didn’t want to be far away. Forty miles ended up being the perfect distance.”

That clarity, paired with the coaching staff's genuine belief that she could contribute immediately, sealed the decision.

“They told me they saw me being a substantial player as a freshman,” Haneline said. “That mattered a lot to me. I wanted an opportunity to play, to really compete for a role.”

Earning it, not expecting it

Opportunity, however, was never confused with entitlement.

Haneline arrived on campus knowing nothing would be handed to her. Preseason practices were six-hour days, constant competition and physical and mental fatigue that tests even veteran players.

“I told myself it was okay if I didn’t play,” she said. “But my mindset was that I was going to do everything I possibly could to earn it.”

That meant winning positional battles, taking care of her body, eating right, lifting, getting sleep and showing up every day with purpose. Slowly, confidence replaced doubt.

“I think it was early in non-conference play when I realized, ‘Okay, I can do this,’” she said. “Once we started seeing how the lineup was shaping up, I felt it.”

A big reason for that confidence stood right next to her.

Learning from the best

As a freshman middle blocker, Haneline spent countless hours alongside senior standout Ady O’Grady, soaking in advice and modeling her approach.

“I stuck by her side a lot,” Haneline said. “I wanted to learn everything I could from her. Watching her, asking questions, trying to be like her.”

The mentorship left a lasting imprint.

“I told my coaches I want to be the next Ady,” she said. “I want freshmen coming in to look up to me the way I looked up to her.”

That leadership mindset has already shown itself, especially during moments when USC Upstate leaned heavily on its freshman class.

A freshman trio making history

There were nights this season when the Spartans featured three freshmen across the front row, with another freshman anchoring the back line at libero.

“One game, we were all up there, and I said in the huddle, ‘Okay, freshmen, we got this,’” Haneline said, laughing. “We’d say little things to each other on the net, just funny freshman comments.”

That trust paid off. USC Upstate finished 14-14 and saw three freshmen make program history. Outside hitter Summer Kohler earned Second Team All-Big South honors. Haneline and libero Sophia Overholt both collected Honorable Mention All-Big South nods. All three landed on the league’s All-Freshman Team, the most in a single season in program history.

For Haneline, the numbers backed up the accolades. She appeared in all 27 matches and 105 sets, ranking third on the team with 260 kills and second with a .245 hitting efficiency. She added 80 total blocks, including 10 solo stops, and recorded double-digit kills in 11 matches.

Her freshman résumé continues a trend of excellence that began long before she arrived in Spartanburg.

Built before she arrived

At Crest High School in Shelby, Haneline helped the Chargers to 63 wins and four playoff appearances. Over her prep career, she totaled 1,259 kills, 554 digs, 214 blocks and 167 service aces while posting a .306 hitting percentage. She was a three-time All-Conference selection, a two-time All-Region honoree and an AVCA Watchlist athlete.

Club volleyball further sharpened her edge, including a third-place finish in the Premier Division at AAU Nationals.

Still, college volleyball required growth. Injuries forced Haneline to spend time at right side, giving her a new perspective on efficiency and shot selection.

“It helped me realize the difference between being a middle and being on the pin,” she said. “As a middle, it’s quick and done. On the right side, you’re not getting a kill every swing. You have to be smart.”

That adaptability is shaping her focus heading into spring and beyond. Blocking. Efficiency. Finding every possible way to help the team.

More than volleyball

Away from the court, Haneline is studying elementary education with plans to teach first or second grade.

“I’ve always loved being around kids,” she said. “My dad is a children’s pastor and I’ve babysat forever. First grade is my favorite because they’re learning how to write and it’s hilarious.”

Her faith plays a central role in her life and approach to being a student-athlete. This past summer, she traveled to South Africa with her father, working with a soccer academy and sharing her beliefs with children.

“It’s my rock,” she said. “When doubts come, I turn to God. It helps my mindset and keeps me grounded.”

What’s next

Haneline’s goals are simple and bold.

“Winning the Big South,” she said. “That’s the goal for all of us.”

She believes the pieces are in place. A talented freshman class. A coaching staff with vision. A program that is gaining momentum.

When asked for her own recruiting pitch, Haneline focused less on facilities and stats and more on culture.

“Bring a positive attitude. Work hard. Make decisions that help the team, not just yourself,” she said. “That’s what matters here.”

As for the viral fame that seems to follow her family, she is not chasing it. Dancing with the Stars might still be a dream. Teaching first graders is far more likely.

Either way, USC Upstate volleyball will gladly take the version of Kensley Haneline that shows up every day, works relentlessly and keeps making an impact, no cameras required.