Laurel Kessel

Laurel Brassey attended San Diego State University, starting in 1972, the same year she was named to the US National Team. The school had no women’s volleyball so she played on the men’s team. Brassey played in 269 international matches with the U.S. team between 1972 and 1980, including two World Championships (1974, 1978), two World Cups (1973, 1977) and two Pan American Games (1975, 1979). Brassey played with the US team through 1980, when she expected to play at the Moskva Olympics. Such was not to be due to the US boycott, so she left volleyball competition. She became head volleyball coach at the University of New Mexico, under her married name of Laurel Kessel, and walked away from the court.

In April 1987, seven years away from the sport as a player, the Olympic dream beckoned and Laurel Kessel returned to the US team. She played for the US team that year at the Pan American Games, winning a bronze medal. She was a starter almost from the minute she returned and realized her dream by playing at the Seoul Olympics.

Kessel has also been involved in volleyball and administration. She was a member of the USOC’s International Relations Committee, was on the USOC Executive Board for four years, and served on the Athletes’ Advisory Council for eight years. Kessel has also served as secretary of the USVBA’s Board of Directors.