A Great Read for Players, Parents, and Coaches!!

Synopsis of Can I Play? The Trilogy of Keli Stennes

The Can I Play? trilogy follows the inspiring and emotional journey of Keli Stennes, a small-town girl with big dreams of playing college volleyball. Over the course of three books, Keli faces overwhelming challenges, tests of character, and life-changing decisions as she navigates her path from Falls City to the broader world of competitive volleyball—and adulthood.

Book 1: Can I Play?

Keli’s story begins in Falls City, a tiny town in the foothills where her father, Butch, is a local legend. His untimely death left Keli and her mom, Cindy, to forge their lives on their own. With her junior year approaching, Keli dreams of what her father never accomplished—playing sports at the collegiate level. However, her small-town school lacks the resources, competition, and opportunities needed to make that dream a reality.

When a chance meeting with Breanne Lindsay, coach of the state powerhouse Dragons, leads to an invitation to a summer camp, Keli’s determination is put to the test. At the camp, Keli meets two Dragons players, Ashley and Greta, who become her biggest supporters. Ashley sees Keli’s raw talent and convinces her to make the leap and join the Dragons—despite the backlash from her hometown, the doubts of her peers, and the strain on her family.

Through hard work, heartbreak, and grit, Keli earns a spot on the Dragons’ varsity team and begins her transformation from a small-town star to a player on a championship contender.

Book 2: We Can Play

Keli’s journey continues with the start of club volleyball, an opportunity made possible by Ashley’s father, Frank, a former athlete and widower. Together with the Dragons’ coach, Frank helps assemble a new club team, but Keli quickly learns that talent alone doesn’t guarantee success. With Ashley sidelined by a serious illness, Keli must navigate the season on her own, facing self-doubt, challenging teammates, and the pressures of performing on a larger stage.

As the season progresses, Keli grows both as a player and as a person. Her bond with Ashley deepens, Frank and Cindy find solace in each other’s support, and Keli begins to reconcile with the life she left behind in Falls City—including Sticky, her childhood best friend who might mean more to her than she realized.

Book 3: Final Point

In Final Point, Keli and her friends are seniors, standing at the crossroads of their lives. Greta is missing, Ashley is battling the aftereffects of her illness, and Sticky must decide whether to pursue art school. For Keli, the dream she worked so hard to achieve—earning a college volleyball scholarship—has come true. But as she faces the reality of leaving her past behind, she questions whether the dream is still hers.

Through the highs and lows of senior year, the group discovers that life rarely goes as planned. Each must decide their next steps while grappling with self-doubt, changing priorities, and the bonds of friendship. Keli’s relationship with Sticky deepens as she wrestles with the biggest decision of her life: follow her dream to college or stay close to the people who mean the most to her.

The Journey of Keli Stennes

The Can I Play? trilogy is more than a story about volleyball. It’s a tale of resilience, sacrifice, and self-discovery. Keli’s journey is a testament to the power of hard work, the strength of friendship, and the courage to chase your dreams, no matter the odds.

Whether you’re 12 or 50, these books will inspire you to overcome challenges, cherish the people who lift you up, and never stop believing in yourself. With moments that will make you laugh, cry, and cheer, Keli’s story is one you won’t forget.