Kim Kelly wasn't looking for a new job, but the possibility of coming home was something she couldn't pass up.

"I saw the Carnegie Mellon position posted in the NCAA News," said Kelly, who had just completed her ninth season as head women's volleyball coach at Gettysburg College. "I had heard a rumor that Julie Bigger was stepping down, but didn't know for sure until I saw the job opening posted.

"I decided to apply, but didn't think I would get it. They interviewed me and offered me the job on April 1.

"I hated to leave Gettysburg, since they've been so good to me over the years, but this was an opportunity that I just couldn't pass up."

Kelly graduated from Penn-Trafford High School in 1988 as Kim Rain.

"I was a three-year starter at Penn-Trafford and a four-year starter in college," said Kelly, who continued her volleyball career at Gettysburg College. "I was a backup setter as a freshman in college, but also did other things."

Kelly became a starting setter the following season and graduated three years later regarded as one of the top setters in Gettysburg history. She was credited with 2,079 assists, which ranks third-highest in school history.

"I became an assistant coach at Gettysburg after I graduated," said Kelly. "In 1996, I was named interim co-coach and became full-time head coach the following year."

That began a nine-year run at Gettysburg, in which Kelly led the Bullets to eight Centennial Conference titles, including four in a row, and eight appearances in the NCAA Division III tournament. She had a 250-82 record with the Bullets.

"When I heard about the job opening, I talked to my husband and we decided to look into it," said Kelly.

"He is originally from Cleveland, so he's been six hours away from his family. He's a partner in a business that will eventually be expanding into this area, so he will not have to change jobs. He'll just have to do a little traveling to Gaithersburg, Maryland for a little while, until the expansion begins."

Kelly begins her job at Carnegie Mellon on Aug. 15 and will be closing on a new house in Irwin on Aug. 26. That posed a small problem when their house in Gettysburg sold.

"We've been living in a camper most of the summer," said Kelly. "The kids love it, and there's a pool so they can swim every day. We're moving in with my parents this week, until the house is ready."

Preseason practice begins on Aug. 20.

"I have 10 returning lettermen and seven freshmen coming in," said Kelly. "I have only one senior Chrissy Bartek [a middle hitter from Plum]. "It looks to be a great group of ladies. I'm looking forward to working with them."