These are some links to pages that I found that write about some of the accomplishments of Karolyn Kirby. I first met Karolyn across the net in college when I was at University of Tennesee Knoxville and she was being coached by Mary Jo at University of Kentucky. Can you say rivalry? Our matches were huge battles.
Alot of our defense was geared towards stopping that "half shoot" and "full shoot" set that Karolyn would give her hitters. Marsha Bond where are you? That was one of the fastest attacks we faced in the SEC. I was really glad when I FINALLY had the chance to play ON her side so I could HIT that half shoot and not have to defend it.
But I tell you what... you HAD to be in the air before her hands set the ball because that ball was going to come fffaaasssttt. It was like hitting a quick set four feet away from the setter instead of right next to her. That's how fast she could shoot that ball to the outside.
And especially if she was falling to the ground...Karolyn loved to go for the middle attack when she was falling over and flipped backwards (very slight exaggeration...very, very slight you had to see it) just to mess with the opposing middle blocker... she would just go for it ...no matter what. What you LEAST expected...she did. Sign of a great setter....
If I'm not mistaken ....Karolyn has longer arms than what is proportional for her height. I have the same "issue". I am six feet tall but my arms are almost three inches longer than my height so my arms should be on someone who is 6' 3!
THIS my friend...if used wisely is VERRY advantageous. Karolyn could get to balls (blocking or digging)that were wayy out of her reach. Blocking becomes alot of fun because the really tall girls are wondering how you touched their balls. Karolyn is not exceedingly tall for a volleyball player but she was an amazing blocker (among her many skills)...both indoor and out.
Here are some links to some great articles on her career. As usual...readers and visitors are invited to add links to other articles on Karolyn Kirby's Indoor Volleyball Accomplishments on this post and any other links are welcome on the corrsponding subject area. Just place them in the comment area to this post. Come on people let's grow this...what articles am I missing? Karolyn Kirby fans are welcome to add links to ....
All SEC Honors Karolyn Kirby (along with yours truly.)
First Women World Champions click here
She and partner Karolyn Kirby won 13 consecutive domestic titles while winning 23 of 27 events over a two-year period. (karchacademy.com)
As reported by the Beach Volleyball Database: "1993 WPVA With eight of the top players moving to the AVP tour, Karolyn Kirby and Liz Masakayan begin the most dominant era in the WPVA winning eleven of twelve tournaments and splitting $74,550. Masakayan and Kirby begin a partnership that will eventually tie for the second longest among the women at 51 tournaments "
Beach Volleyball is included in the Goodwill Games held in St. Petersburg, Russia "The women's medallists are : Gold: Karolyn Kirby and Liz Masakayan (United States) Silver: Mônica Rodrigues and Adriana Samuel (Brazil) Bronze: Barbra Fontana and Lori Forsythe (United States) (bvbdb.com and avp history page)
AVCA newsletter click here
Karolyn Kirby click here
AVP click here
Pro Wins with Liz click here
As reported on the Beach Volleyball Database... 1992 FIVB Beach Volleyball is played as a demonstration sport in Almeria, Spain with over 100 players representing the five continents while the Olympic Games are being held in Barcelona. The first women's FIVB Beach Volleyball competition also takes place in Almeria, Spain from August 5th-12th. The first Women World Champions are Karolyn Kirby and Nancy Reno.
!f you enjoyed this post then Subscribe to the free Volleyball Voices Newsletter!
Other Resources to Play Better Volleyball:
The Coaching Volleyball Bible
101 Volleyball Drills
Practice Solutions: Planning for Success
Defensive Drill Solutions: Serving Digging Blocking
