Kelly Dorn joined the Georgia State beach volleyball program in August 2025 as the mental performance coach for the Sandy Panthers, bringing with her a decorated playing career and a strong foundation in both athletic and academic excellence.
A standout student-athlete during her time at Georgia State, Dorn capped her career as one of the program’s most accomplished competitors. She finished with 83 career victories, ranking among the top five in program history for individual wins. In 2023, Dorn earned Sun Belt Conference Championship Pair of the Tournament honors alongside partner Elise Saga after leading the Sandy Panthers to the conference title in the league’s inaugural season of beach volleyball. That same year, the duo secured wins over five nationally ranked opponents, helping Georgia State maintain a top-14 national ranking throughout the season and earn a second consecutive NCAA Championship berth.
Throughout her collegiate career, Dorn consistently competed at a high level across multiple flights. In 2022, she paired with Saga primarily at the top flight, recording 18 wins and key victories over ranked opponents including LSU and Tulane. She played an integral role in one of the most historic seasons in program history, as Georgia State captured the C-USA Championship and advanced to the NCAA Championship round of six, highlighted by a landmark upset over No. 2 seed TCU. The team’s No. 7 final ranking marked the highest finish in school history for any Division I program.
Dorn’s success began early in her career, including an impressive 12-2 record during the shortened 2020 season and a 19-12 mark as a freshman in 2019. Across her career, she accumulated numerous wins over nationally ranked opponents and demonstrated versatility by competing across multiple pairings and lineup positions. In 2021, she posted an 18-11 record while earning CCSA All-Academic Team honors.
Equally accomplished in the classroom, Dorn earned multiple academic recognitions, including CSC All-District honors and numerous appearances on the President’s List and Dean’s List. She also earned CCSA All-Academic Team honors, reflecting her commitment to excellence both on and off the court.
A native of Dallas, Texas, Dorn attended Byron Nelson High School, where she lettered in cross country and track and field and earned Academic All-District honors. She also competed for 692 Beach Dallas, winning the ROX Beach National Championship in 2017 and the USAV National Championship in 2016.
Dorn, whose full name is Kelly Marie Dorn, was born on October 3, 1999. She pursued a degree in kinesiology with aspirations of becoming a physical therapist, a path that aligns closely with her current role in supporting the mental and physical performance of student-athletes.
