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Karolyn Kirby One of The Most Famous Players America Has Produced
Before Misty May Treanor and Kerri Walsh, Karolyn Kirby held the record for winning the most event titles (67) than any other woman on the pro beach circuits.
Watch the 1997 WPVA Hermosa Final featuring Hanley/Fontana vs Kirby/Reno
Famous Volleyball Player: Karolyn Kirby
Karolyn Kirby has been one of the most famous women volleyball players the US has produced.
Before Misty May Treanor and Kerri Walsh started their infamous winning streak, Karolyn Kirby held the record for winning the most event titles (67) than any other woman on the pro beach volleyball circuits.
Beach Volleyball Accomplishments: Karolyn Kirby
Having played in 187 pro beach volleyball events Karolyn Kirby ranks sixth overall.
Karolyn Kirby became famous after winning 61 domestic and six international titles. In her career, she posted 115 podium placements and 124 "final four" appearances.
Kirby was among the select group of women volleyball players chosen to the All-ERA Beach Team 1998- 2003.
To list just a few of the other beach volleyball titles Kirby has won include:
Kirby is a three-time WPVA Most Valuable Player in 1990, 1991 and 1994, and was a co-MVP in 1993.
Watch the WPVA(Women's Volleyball) 1994 Ft. Lauderdale Final Kirby/Masakayan vs Castro/Roque
She was voted the Top Offensive Beach Volleyball Player in 1990, and was selected as the Best Volleyball Setter for six years while playing for the WPVA and AVP. She was voted as the league's Best Hitter in 1992.
According to the Beach Volleyball Database Karolyn Kirby has accomplished the following:
- CBVA Beach Volleyball Hall of Fame 2006
- Volleyball Hall of Fame 2004
- Two- time FIVB Tour Champion 1992 (Nancy Reno), 1993 (Liz Masakayan)
- WPVA Best Hitter 1992
- WPVA Best Offensive Player 1990
- WPVA Best Setter 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
- WPVA Most Valuable Player 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994
Like myself, Karolyn Kirby was coached and mentored by other famous female volleyball player legends, namely Marilyn McReavy and most notably two-time Olympian and volleyball legend Mary Jo Peppler.
The three of us played together on the New York Liberties team, when the very first indoor professional women's volleyball league called Major League Volleyball was formed in the United States.
Karolyn was an exceptional all-around player but was especially known for her setting ability.
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Private or semiprivate volleyball indoor/sand lessons are an excellent way for young Las Vegas high school volleyball players to quickly improve their individual skills through a private or semi-private coaching experience.
These lessons are conducted by former pro volleyball player, former USA Volleyball High Performance instructor and Evaluator and Tstreet Vegas 18s head Coach April Chapple on a weekly basis.
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I share alot of individual, partner and easy-to-do volleyball serving drills we do in class with my followers.
Many of these volleyball practice drills you can do at home by yourself or try at your next practice with your teammates.
If you're a B team or JV player trying to make varsity next year...your goal should be to complete 1000 reps a day of at least three of the basic skills on your own...volleyball passing, serving and setting should be at the top of the list.
Read more about famous volleyball players in the pages below.
Mikaela Foecke 13 Reasons She's An Inspiring Female Volleyball Player
Learn more about the inspiring female volleyball hitter Mikaela Foecke, the 2015 and 2017 NCAA national champion and 2014 National Gatorade Player of the Year.
Liz Masakayan Beach Volleyball Champion, Record Setter and USA Legend
One of the most competitive players in American beach volleyball history, Liz Masakayan was voted MVP in 1992 by the WPVA players and co-winner in 1993.
Lexi Sun 13 Ways She's An Awesome Female Volleyball Player and Hitter
Volleyball prep Lexi Sun is an inspiring girls high school player, one of several amazing female athletes Improve Your Volleyball.com spotlights on this site.
Lauren Carlini, USA Volleyball Setter Tokyo 2020 & Paris 2024 Olympian
Famous volleyball player Lauren Carlini is one of three American setters trying to qualify to make the USA Volleyball Tokyo 2020 Olympic Team.
Krista Vansant: The Making of A Former Univ of Wash Volleyball Legend
Krista Vansant, who's now a coach had a stellar high school and collegiate volleyball career by the time her jersey was retired at the University of Washington.
If your athlete struggles with consistent serve receive, gets subbed out, or is overlooked for playing time—this is the fix you’ve been looking for.
Struggling with passing consistency?
I help talented passers tired of getting pulled from games because of inconsistent serve receive skills BUILD passing confidence without expensive private lessons using the same 3-step system that's helped dozens of my athletes get recruited.
Download my eBook for $17.99 and start building the passing confidence that keeps you on the court—and gets you seen by college coaches.
AUTHOR BIO
April Chapple is an elite private volleyball trainer, former USA National Team member, and University of Tennessee Hall of Fame inductee who has coached in Las Vegas for 15+ years, training hundreds of athletes and helping numerous players reach college volleyball, including Division I standouts.
She's also the head coach for girls and boys 18s at Squad VBC and offers coaches consulting on technical teaching and player development. Connect with April on LinkedIn or at ImproveYourVolley.com, where her eye for overlooked talent sets her apart.
From Lady Vol to Legend: Coach April Honored At UTK Champions Weekend
Lady Vol volleyball legend and record holder Coach April Chapple a University of Tennessee, Knoxville Hall of Fame Inductee, 3-time All American, 3-time SEC Champion, SEC Tournament MVP, 2-time All SEC Team is celebrated with her 1984 SEC champion teammates at Neyland Stadium during Champions Weekend on November 1-2, 2024.
- the first First Round Draft Pick for the first American pro indoor women's league
- named to the first First Team All-Pro team for Major League Volleyball in USA volleyball history
- former USA National team member
- one of the few American women players named as an Italian Pro League D-I Championship Finalist, Italian Cup Finalist and Cup of Cups Tournament Finalist
April Chapple The first First round Draft Pick For Major League Volleyball the first American Women's Pro League Honored At Athlete Unlimited Pro Volleyball Match
Coach April's 2026-27 Private and Semi private Volleyball Training
Pre-Registration now open for 2026-27 Private and Semiprivate Training Sessions with Coach April . Get prepared for club tryouts or train with me during club season!
Email now for information on semiprivate or private indoor skills, individual or small group training volleyball classes and my Breakfast Club for College Players training for 2026-27.
Invest in your improvement while preepping for your next level and college goals while working hard and training smart.
Email me right now to register or for more information.
info@improveyourvolley.com
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Complete Beginner Serving System: The Ultimate Support System for Beginners
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Click to Download Your Parent's Volleyball Serving Guide Help Your Player Develop Championship Serves (Even If You've Never Played) Checklist pdf:
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You'll Get:
✓Learn exactly what to look for in your player's serving form so you can provide meaningful feedback.
✓Discover how to provide encouragement that actually improves performance and mental toughness.
✓Know exactly what to ask coaches to show you're engaged and help your player develop properly.
✓Simple, effective drills that don't require a gym or expensive equipment.
✓Understand the language coaches use so you can better support your player's development.
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From Lady Vol to Legend: Coach April Produces Powerful Passionate Players...is that you?
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Parents! Help Your Player Develop Championship Serves (Even If You've Never Played)
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Congratulations to my seven Boys-18s Vegas Volley club players who played in two state championship finals yesterday, the 3A and 5A State champinship finals at Sunrise Mountain High School.
TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS!
A-1 Vegas Volley VBC
In It To Win It Tournament
May 2 - 4, 2025 Tournament
Gold Medalists
18s Premier Division
Vegas Volleyball's Unsung Heroes: Celebrating Moms with Peace Love Volleyball Shirts
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