If Karolyn Kirby were remembered for just one thing, it would be the fact that she was the most dominant beach volleyball player on the pro circuit, ever. 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.

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, more than any other woman on the circuit. 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.

Presently Kirby is the Assistant Coach for the University of New Hampshire women’s volleyball team. She may not have the physical power she once had, however she has learned to become crafty and with the use of her finesse shots is still able to control a game. She has a wealth of knowledge to pass onto a new generation of volleyball players.

GRAND SLAM: Kirby has earne d a record $110,062.13 in 30 grand slam events, including a record 25 final four appearances. Kirby is tops in earnings for the Nationals ($34,365, 10) and Sho otouts ($35,172.50, seven). Kirby has won a record 13 grand slam titles, includ ing the 1990 Shootout and U. S. Open with Jackie Silva, the 1992 and 1997 Nation als with Nancy Reno, the 1993, 1994 and 1995 Shootouts with Liz Masakayan, the 1 993 and 1994 Nationals with Masakayan and the 1993 Top of the Tour. Kirby and M asakayan also won the 1993, 1994 and 1995 U. S. Opens. Kirby has been third in all three Best of the Beach events (1994 with Masakayan, and 1995 and 1996 with Angela Rock).

WPVA CAREER: Kirby has a re cord 104 final four finishes, including a record 61 wins. The 26 wins with Masa kayan is a tour team record. Kirby is first in career earnings ($458,509.13), m atch wins (611) and points (3,353). Kirby was the most valuable in 1990, 1991 a nd 1994, co-MVP in 1993, top offensive player in 1990, best setter in 1991, 1993 , 1994, 1995 and 1996, and best hitter in 1992.

PARTNERSHIPS: Kirby has com peted in 131 team events with nine different partners, including 34 stops with R ock, 34 with Masakayan, 20 with Reno, 13 with Dale Hall, nine with Silva, seven with Patty Dodd, five with Jo Ellen Vrazel, three each with Linda Hanley and Chr istine Schaefer, two with Sandy Aughinbaugh-Fahey and one with Lisa Arce. The K irby/Masakayan tandem holds the tour team record with $326,290 in winnings. Kir by played with Roque twice, and Barbra Fontana, Dennie Shupryt-Knoop, Deb Richar dson and Castro once in the 1993 Top of the Tour.

BEST EVER: Kirby and Masaka yan combined statistically in 1993, 1994 and 1995 to become the most successful team in Evian Tour history. The pair has won 26 events together, including a re cord-tying 12 titles in 1993. Kirby and Masakayan have a 183-20 match mark in 3 4 Evian Tour stops together, including a record 55-match win streak and 13-strai ght team event titles. The pair posted a 75-5 match mark in 1993 and won the la st nine team events of the season, including three grand slam titles. Kirby and Masakayan continued their success in 1994 with 11 wins and a 72-3 record.