RICHMOND, Ky. — Celina Sanks collegiate career is just a blur.

And the Knoch graduate is doing everything she can to hold on to it.

Just a little bit longer.

“It has literally gone by in the blink of the eye,” Sanks said. “I vaguely remember my freshman year, then my sophomore and junior years went by so fast.”

Now a senior outside hitter for Eastern Kentucky University, Sanks is playing her best in the twilight of her career.

The 5-foot-10 Sanks had 17 kills in an epic five-game win for the Colonels Thursday over Belmont University in the first round of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.

EKU faced elimination, but rolled off six consecutive points in the final set for the 16-14 win.

Sanks was a big part of that.

EKU coach Lori Duncan said Sanks has kept the Colonels afloat this season through a rash of injuries.

“We lost three of our four seniors to substantial injuries and Celina was the only one left,” Duncan said. “If her leadership isn't something we could rely on, we couldn't have held it together.”

Sanks has recorded double-digit kills in 18 matches this season, including five consecutive as the season has come to a close.

“I definitely have impressed myself a little bit with how well I'm doing at the end,” Sanks said. “A lot of that has to do with my teammates. Honestly, every memory I have has to do with them on the court and off the court. I've really connected with these girls in every way possible — practices, get-togethers after a big win. Everything.”

Sanks was the centerpiece of EKU's offense this season, both because of the injury situation and her skill set.

Sanks said she learned and honed her game a great deal early on in her career with the Colonels.

“I've never been a super powerful hitter,” Sanks said. “The biggest change for me was shot selection. I became a lot smarter volleyball player.”

She got plenty of opportunities this season — to the point where Duncan was concerned.

“What makes what she's done so impressive is we're setting her 50 to 60 times and the next highest person is at around 20,” Duncan said. “I told our setters that if we keep setting her, her arm is going to fall off.”

Sanks has taken it all in stride.

She was named first-team all-OAC and has 1,291 kills — 10th on the all-time list at Eastern Kentucky.

“She's a six-rotation player,” Duncan said. “She doesn't come out of a match.”

Sanks came to EKU and started immediately as a freshman on a team that notched 21 wins.

“The moment wasn't too big for her,” Duncan said. “She seamlessly made a transition to our program. She became a integral part of our team.”

Sanks will graduate with a degree in apparel design and merchandising in the spring.

That also has added to the realization her volleyball career is almost over.

“It's crazy because I've been playing volleyball since the seventh grade,” Sanks said. “I enjoyed every single moment.”

Sanks has also enjoyed seeing her alma mater, Knoch, fare so well this season on the volleyball court.

Knoch will play for its first state title Saturday afternoon.

“I'm a little bit jealous,” Sanks said, chuckling. “But it's awesome. I'm so proud of them. Look at Knoch representing.”