Colorado University Athletics
Volleyball Adds Another Pair To 2016 Roster
June 01, 2016 | Volleyball
BOULDER —Colorado head coach Jesse Mahoney has announced the addition of two more outstanding athletes to the 2016 volleyball roster. Senior Kiara McKibben (Colorado Springs, Colo.) will transfer to CU from the University of San Francisco, while junior Marie Zimmerman (Lakewood, Colo.) transferred to CU in 2015 after playing the 2013-14 seasons at Sacred Heart University. Most recently, Zimmerman competed as a member of CU's club team.
“We are very excited Kiara chose to return to Colorado and join our team this summer,” Mahoney said. “Not only is she a very talented setter, she is also a mature and seasoned competitor who fits in perfectly with what we are looking to achieve on and off the court in our program.
“Marie is a very well-rounded player having come up as an outside hitter throughout high school and club and making the transition to setter in college,” Mahoney continued. “Another great competitor, Marie will fit in perfectly. She will add depth at the setter position as well as play a ball-control role for us next fall.”
McKibben and Zimmerman will join a talented group of newcomers for the Buffs this fall, which includes Lauren Dorrell, Lillie Klemmer, Alexa Smith, Justine Spann and Rachel Whipple.
Kiara McKibben, 5-10, S, Colorado Springs, Colo./Colorado Volleyball Association
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McKibben is returning home to Colorado for her final season of collegiate volleyball, playing her first three seasons at San Francisco. USF ran a 6-2 offense in 2015 and McKibben played in all 108 sets and started every match. McKibben led the team with 687 assists, which ranked ninth in the West Coast Conference. She recorded nine double-doubles during the season, which included a season-high 44 assists and 13 digs against Gonzaga. During the summer of 2015, she participated in the European Global Challenge with the BIP/USA Development Team in Pula, Croatia.
As, a sophomore in 2014, McKibben was the primary setter, playing in 115 of 116 sets. She totaled 1,041 assists and had three matches with 50 or more assists. Her season-high 58 assists came in a victory against Portland. McKibben also added 65 kills and 20 aces during the season. In her freshman campaign (2013), McKibben recorded a season-best 33 assists against Notre Dame. She compiled 331 assists and 127 digs, earning a spot on the All-WCC All-Freshman team. A versatile athlete, McKibben has been a part of USF's beach volleyball team the last two seasons.
McKibben attended Doherty High School in Colorado Springs, where she played with current Buffs Cierra and Gabby Simpson. During her senior season at DHS, the Spartans posted an undefeated 29-0 record and earned the Colorado 5A State title. That same season, she was selected as a second-team Under Armor All-American and also earned all-state and all-conference first team honors. McKibben compiled 390 assists, 205 kills, 167 digs and 54 aces as a senior. The Spartans posted three consecutive Metro League Championships while she was on the team. McKibben played club volleyball for CVA and was coached by Rey Reyes and Michelle Buckner.
McKibben is the daughter of Mark and Roseann McKibben, who are both members of the Air Force. She enjoys reading, sewing and going to the beach. McKibben is majoring in business with an emphasis in finance.
Marie Zimmerman, 6-0, S, Lakewood, Colo./Front Range Volleyball Club
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Zimmerman played for two seasons (2013-14) at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. In 2014, she averaged 8.25 assists per set and added 1.92 digs per set. Zimmerman handed out a career-high 58 assists in a five set match against Central Connecticut State. She reach 50 assists one other time during the season, recording 50 against Saint Francis University, another five set contest.
In 2013, Zimmerman mostly played as an outside hitter, helping SHU to a 15-16 record. She averaged 1.55 kills and 1.82 digs per set. On three occasions, Zimmerman tallied 13 kills. She also collected three double-doubles, including a 10 kill and 17 digs performance, a season-best, against CCSU.
Zimmerman attended Lakewood High School where she lettered four years in volleyball. She led the Tigers to the league, district and regional championships her sophomore, junior and senior seasons. LHS placed third at state during her junior season, finishing the season with a 25-2 record. Her team placed third in the state her junior year (23-1) and was fifth her sophomore year (21-2). Zimmerman was named all-conference and an all-state academic athlete her sophomore, junior and senior seasons. As a senior, she was named all-state and served as the team, guiding the Tigers to a 24-1 record. Zimmerman also played for the Front Range Volleyball Club and was coached by Jim Miret.
She is the daughter of Bob, who played basketball at Emporia State, and Cheryl Zimmerman, who played soccer at Denver. She also has two siblings, Adam, a junior on the lacrosse team at Northern Arizona, and Carly. Zimmerman enjoys skiing, snowboarding, playing beach volleyball and traveling. She is majoring in political science and has plans to attend law school.
2016 Colorado Volleyball Newcomers
|
Name |
Yr. |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Hometown/School/Club |
|
Fr. |
OH |
6-0 |
Brentwood, Tenn./Father Ryan HS/Houston Junior VBC |
|
|
Fr. |
MB/OPP |
5-11 |
Honolulu, Hawai'i/Punahou HS/Imi'Ike VBC |
|
|
Sr. |
S |
5-10 |
Colorado Springs, Colo./Doherty HS/Colorado Volleyball Association |
|
|
So. |
OH |
6-1 |
Colorado Springs, Colo./Lewis Palmer HS/Colorado Juniors VBC |
|
|
Fr. |
OH |
5-10 |
Chandler, Ariz./Basha HS/Arizona Storm VBC |
|
|
Fr. |
DS/L |
5-7 |
Centennial, Colo./Smoky Hill HS/Colorado Volleyball Association |
|
|
Jr. |
S |
6-0 |
Lakewood, Colo./Lakewood H.S./Front Range VBC |
