Karolyn Kirby

Karolyn Kirby
Personal information
BornJune 30, 1961 (1961-06-30) (age 63)
Brookline, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
College / UniversityUtah State University
Volleyball information
PositionSetter / Outside hitter
Number8 (national team)
National team
1986 United States
Medal record
Women's beach volleyball
Representing the  United States
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 1997 Los Angeles Beach
Goodwill Games
Gold medal – first place 1994 St. Petersburg Beach
Women's volleyball
Representing the  United States
Goodwill Games
Bronze medal – third place 1986 Moscow Indoor

Karolyn Kirby (born June 30, 1961) is an American female retired beach volleyball player. She won the bronze medal at the 1997 World Championships in Los Angeles, California, partnering with Nancy Reno.[1] The pair also won the 1992 Olympic tournament, at which time beach volleyball was a demonstration sport.[2]

In her career in beach volleyball, Kirby won 67 tournaments and $680,000 in prizes.[3] 29 of her tournament wins were with partner Liz Masakayan.[3]

Kirby won numerous awards as a beach volleyball player. She was WPVA Most Valuable Player in 1990, 1991, 1993, and 1994.[3] She was WPVA Best Offensive Player in 1990 and WPVA Best Hitter in 1992.[3] She was WPVA Best Setter in 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997.[3]

In 2004, Kirby was inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame.[4]

College

Kirby was twice an AIAW volleyball All-American at Utah State University (USU), leading the Aggies to consecutive top 10 national finishes from 1979 to 1981.[5] Kirby helped USU to a combined record of 106–38 (.736) over the three years that she played for the school, including a second-place finish in the 1979 AIAW Nationals at 35–5.[5] Additionally, Kirby was twice an Intermountain All-Conference selection (1980–81).[5]

Kirby was inducted into the Utah State University Hall of Fame in 1995.[5]

National team

Kirby was briefly on the United States women's national volleyball team in 1986, and was a teammate of Masakayan.[6]

Awards

  • Two-time AIAW All-American
  • Goodwill Games bronze medal (indoor) 1986
  • Utah State University Hall of Fame 1995
  • Four-time WPVA Most Valuable Player 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994
  • WPVA Best Offensive Player 1990
  • WPVA Best Hitter 1992
  • Six-time WPVA Best Setter 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
  • Goodwill Games gold medal (beach) 1994
  • World Championships bronze medal 1997
  • International Volleyball Hall of Fame 2004

References

  1. ^ @barringer_a (April 4, 2019). "The 1997 World Championships". Beachmajors.com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  2. ^ "AVP 101: The Basics Of Beach Volleyball". Association of Volleyball Professionals. July 10, 2019. Archived from the original on December 4, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Karolyn Kirby". Beach Volleyball Database. Archived from the original on June 11, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  4. ^ "Karolyn Kirby". International Volleyball Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d "Karolyn Kirby". Utah State University Athletics. Archived from the original on August 16, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  6. ^ Smith, Shelley (July 5, 1993). "Liz Masakayan and Karolyn Kirby". Sports Illustrated. New York City: Time. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2023.


Sporting positions
Preceded by
Inaugural
 Women's FIVB Beach World Tour Winner
alongside United States Nancy Reno
1992 		Succeeded by
 Liz Masakayan
and Karolyn Kirby (USA)
Preceded by
 Nancy Reno
and Karolyn Kirby (USA)
 Women's FIVB Beach World Tour Winner
alongside United States Liz Masakayan
1993 		Succeeded by