Karolyn Kirby added to our coaching staff for the 2009-10 club volleyball season

The Bridge Volleyball Club is pleased to announce the addition of Karolyn Kirby to our coaching staff for the 2009 – 2010 club volleyball season.

Karolyn Kirby was inducted to the Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2004, in Holyoke, MA. Karolyn Kirby is remembered for being the most dominant beach volleyball player on the pro circuit. Her list of accomplishments goes on for what seems like an eternity and her presence on the beach court evokes nothing but awe inspired looks.

Your browser may not support display of this image. Born in 1961 in Brookline, Massachusetts, Kirby started playing volleyball at a young age and by the time she was a freshman in high school she was already playing at the varsity level. She was captain for two years and in 1979 led her team to a state championship title as well as being named high school player of the year. She attended Utah State for three years and then the University of Kentucky for her last year of school. She was named an All-American three out of her four years at school.

However, Kirby later found her true success on the beach. In her years on the pro circuit she has 67 wins in both domestic and international tournaments. In 1993 she teamed up with Liz Masakayan and they became the most dominant team the pro circuit had ever seen amassing a team record of 29 wins together. Kirby also won a gold medal on the beach in the 1992 Olympics.

Along the path of her career, Kirby has also won many prestigious awards; she was dubbed the “Best Player in the World” by the FIVB for three straight years (1992-1994), WPVA Best Hitter, WPVA Best Offensive Player, WPVA Best Setter 6 times, and WPVA MVP 4 times.
Kirby has played professionally in Europe and competed on the Major League Volleyball circuit (1986 and 1987). Kirby attended both Utah State (1979-82) and Kentucky (1983-84) where she played volleyball. Kirby was a first-team All-America in 1981 at Utah State and 1983 at Kentucky. Kirby was the SEC's Most Valuable Player in 1983. Kirby was honored by SHAPE MAGAZINE in 1992 as one of the nations' 10 fittest people.

Karolyn Kirby has a wealth of knowledge to pass onto a new generation of volleyball players. She will be the Bridge Volleyball Club’s 16 -1 coach, working with the top players in this age group and creating a premiere team for our club. Karolyn will be available for private lesson and beach training throughout the season.

For more information visit our website at www.bridgevolleyball.org or contact Hawley Woods, Club Director at 619-865-0437.