Perhaps the scariest thing about Kelly Robertson's junior year as a Parkland athlete is that it could have been even better.

All the talented volleyball middle hitter, basketball center and track jumper did was lead one team to its first ever state title and earn state MVP honors in the process.

A knee injury during basketball season put a damper on what could have been a highly decorated campaign, but it wasn't enough to stop her from being named the 2011-12 Parkland Press Female Athlete of the Year.

"I'm really excited for next season because I hate sitting out," Robertson said. "It makes me want to play so much more. I'm excited for volleyball to start, excited to lift and get really into track next year. I've used all the time off as motivation to get back to where I was, because its my senior year coming up and that's going to be my best year."

Her junior season wasn't too shabby.

Robertson was a dominant force on the volleyball court for the state champion Trojans. On a team heavy on senior leadership, it was the 5-11 junior that Parkland turned to when it needed a kill at a key moment or to finish off a match.

"I didn't feel any pressure, but it was more of the mentality that I want the ball," Robertson said. "[Setter] Taylor [Krause] could give it to anyone, but they say that setters will listen to who calls the loudest and when I see the ball in the air, I'll call it. I just have a desire to get that last point."

Robertson finished the season ranked 30th in the nation in kill percentage and led the team with 449 kills and 92 blocks. That caught the eye of several top college programs and she eventually committed early to Penn State along with clasmate Taylor Krause.

The connection between Robertson and Krause was as successful as any in area history as they combined with a strong group of seniors to win the school's second District 11 championship and first PIAA crown.

"The senior leadership was amazing," she said. "They made sure we did everything we needed to do to be prepared and really made it happen for us. We all had the skill, but it was a matter of just coming together and doing it and the seniors and the coaches made sure we did."

Robertson was expected to be a big part of the Trojans plans on the basketball court, but hurt her knee midway through the year and had to sit out the rest of the season. In limited action, she scored 47 points for the team.

Her injury carried over to the spring where Robertson could only compete in the high jump and not the triple jump, her preferred event and one where she was the defending District 11 champ.

Now rested and recovered, Roberston is eager to get her senior season underway. She has a state and District 11 title to defend and will help usher in a new era for the Lady Trojans volleyball team, who are now the hunted instead of the hunters.

"I am looking forward to it. With all the success from last year, we know we'll have a target on our backs," she said. "We should be able to hang in there with everyone even though we lost five great seniors. I'm all for challenges."

"Over the last three years, I've been able to see how the seniors have led. I've learned from that and I'm ready to put my own spin on it."