Kristen Karlik in 2007
Kristen Karlik stepped right into a starting roll for the Buffs in 2006 and will look to continue her stellar performance in 2007. She was a great addition for CU and looks to make a name for herself in the CU record book as a senior.
As a Junior in 2006
Karlik made an immediate impact in the Colorado line-up as the starting libero. She recorded nine matches with 20 or more digs and only picked up single-digits on four occasions. Karlik picked up a career-high 26 twice. The first time came on Sept. 13 against No. 17 Missouri. The second time was against No. 3 Washington in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Karlik became the first Buff since 2000 to record 20 or more digs in a match and the first Buff since 2001 to pick up more than 25. She collected 442, which ranks third on the single-season chart. Karlik served up 22 aces, which tied for third on the team. She recorded two aces in a match nine times, including in the upset of No. 1 Nebraska. Karlik also recorded four kills on the season. She handed out a career-high five assists in a three-game sweep over Kansas (11/8). Karlik recorded one kills, four assists, one ace and 22 digs in a five-game comeback against Baylor (11/22) on senior night. She ranked fourth in the Big 12 in digs per game with 4.21 and was fourth in conference only matches with 4.13. Karlik was named to the Colorado Invitational All-Tournament Team after averaging 5.00 digs per game as the Buffs swept all three of their opponents. She made her Colorado debut against Denver (8/25).
At Colorado State
Karlik recorded 524 digs while at CSU. She picked up her 500th against Idaho (11/24/04) with her second dig of the match. In 2004, Karlik tallied 20 digs in a four-game contest against Utah (10/15), becoming the only Ram to record 20 digs in a match that season. She recorded 352 digs (3.42 dpg) as a sophomore and ranks seventh on the single-season digs chart. As a freshman, Karlik started the final 11 matches, but also saw time throughout the season as a serving specialist, setter and right side hitter. She collected 172 digs in her freshman season and played in 34 of CSU’s 35 matches. Karlik was also a member of the Mountain West Conference Championship team in 2003 and 04.
High School
Karlik earned four letters as a member of the Rampart High School volleyball team. She was a member of the Denver Post 2002 All-Colorado team and was on the Rocky Mountain New Class 5A All-State Second Team. Karlik is the school record holder in aces and led her team all four years. A three-time MVP of the Arapahoe Tournament, she was named to the Metro League First Team as a sophomore and junior. In Karlik’s final three seasons, she was named to the Colorado Springs Gazette First Team. During her senior season, RHS lost in the semifinals. Karlik recorded 19 kills, 11 digs and three aces in the match and was named to the Class 5A All-Tournament Team. She led her club team, Colorado United, to a third-place finish at the Baltimore Qualifier. In 2001 and 2002, Karlik won the USAV Doubles Beach Championships. She played right side and setter on her club team and was a right side at RHS.
Personal
Born Kristen Karlik on December 31, 1984 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. She is the daughter of Bill and Debbie Karlik of Colorado Springs, Colo. Father Bill played basketball and baseball at King’s College. She has three brothers, B.J., Joe and Jeff. Karlik lists knitting and long walks on the beach (when she is near one) as her hobbies.
Academics
Karlik is a psychology major at Colorado. Since joining the Buffs in January, she was named to the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll on two occasions and owns better than a 3.0 GPA.
