Starting the 2012 Season as a Red-Shirt Freshman.  Kirby is a Carson Newman Honors Merit and Honors Achievement Award Winner. Kirby currently is on the leadership team for the Carson-Newman Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

 

High School: A three-sport standout at Frontier High School in Bakersfield, Calif.  Before sitting out her Senior Year due to knee injury, she was a five-time athlete of the month, a second team All-League selection in Volleyball and Track, in a very competitive California League, and holds the school record in the high jump. As a three year starter in volleyball, Ellis contributed to teams that won the California Division II Valley Championship in Volleyball and Soccer and a league championship in track. As a starting middle hitter, for Bakersfield Volleyball Club, helped lead her team to a 3rd place finish at the 2010 American Division National Tournament. Ellis, not only stood out on the athletic field, but stood out in academics, finishing in the top five out of 578 in her class and selected to the distinguished FORD Dimensions Program. Ellis is also an active member in Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

 

Personal: Kirby is the daughter of Garro and Cheryl Ellis. Her father played defensive back for the University of Wyoming Cowboys.  Sister Kassidy will run track for Iowa Hawkeyes in the fall 2012.  Kirby also has a younger sister Kapri. Her mother is a teacher and her biggest fan.