Career Highlights

• Kirby is the all-time winningest player in the history of women's pro beach volleyball with 67 wins. She is also ranked second in prize money, winning over $606,000 in her career.
• Her best finishes last season on the BVA Tour were fifths -- at Hermosa Beach with Karrie Poppinga and at the final event in San Diego, with Liz Masakayan.
• Along with Masakayan, they won 26 tournament titles together between 1993-1995, a domestic record.
• Kirby and Masakayan won the inaugural 1994 Goodwill Games gold medal in St. Petersburg, Russia.
• Was named the WPVA's MVP in 1990, 1991, and 1994, and was co-MVP in 1993 with Masakayan.
• Was named the WPVA's Top Offensive Player in 1990.
• Was named the Best Setter in 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996.
• Was named the Best Hitter in 1992.
• Was a member of the USA National Team in 1985-1986, and 1990.
• Played professionally in Europe and competed on the Major League Volleyball Tour in 1986 and 1987.

  Best Team Ever? They make a good case for it. Karolyn Kirby and Liz Masakayan combined statistically in 1993, 1994, and 1995 to become the most successful team on the domestic tour. Together they won 26 events, including a record-tying 12 titles in 1993. In 32 tournaments, they had a 173-13 record, including a record 55-match win streak and 13-straight tournament titles. The team posted a 75-5 match mark in 1993 and won the last nine events of that season, including three grand slam titles. Kirby and Masakayan continued their success in 1993, with 11 wins and a 72-3 record.

College

• Played volleyball at both Utah State and Kentucky.
• Was a first-team All-American at Utah State in 1981, and a first-team All-American at Kentucky in 1983.
• Was on the United States Volleyball Association national championship team in 1981 while at Utah State.
• Was the SEC's MVP in 1983 while at Kentucky.

Personal

• Kirby's parents are Richard A. and Elizabeth A. Kirby. She has two brothers, Richard and Paul, and a sister, Beth.
• Hobbies include photography, painting, music, and dancing.