Kayla Caffey

Personal: Caffey earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Missouri. Later, in December 2021, she obtained her master's degree in teaching, learning, and teacher's education from Nebraska. She holds Tyler Hilderbrand, a former Nebraska volleyball assistant coach, in high esteem as someone who has profoundly influenced her life. Interestingly, Caffey has a passion for teaching and has mentioned that if she weren't pursuing a career in volleyball, she would have opted to be an elementary school teacher.

During her childhood, Caffey engaged in various activities, including competitive cheerleading, soccer, volleyball, and Girl Scouts. In her leisure time, she enjoys traveling, experimenting with recipes from TikTok, indulging in online shopping, and binge-watching shows on Netflix. The number 28 jersey holds special significance for her as a tribute to her time at the University of Texas, where she undoubtedly left a lasting legacy.

Other Professional Experience: Caffey kicked off her pro career during the 2022-23 season with Criolla de Caguas in Puerto Rico. During this time, she shared the court with fellow athletes Nia Read and Shelly Fanning, both of whom are currently active players in Athletes Unlimited Volleyball.

At Missouri: Caffey initiated her collegiate career at Missouri, where she made a significant impact during her four-year tenure from 2016 to 2019. Over the course of 60 matches and 224 sets, she amassed an impressive 831 kills and 463 total blocks. In her freshman year in 2017, she garnered recognition on the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman Team for her stellar blocking performance. Furthermore, her redshirt sophomore year in 2019 saw her rank ninth in NCAA Division I in hitting percentage, showcasing her all-around skills.

At Nebraska: Caffey transferred to Nebraska for the 2020 campaign, becoming a pivotal player for the Huskers. Across two seasons, she contributed 369 kills and 179 total blocks to her collegiate stats. Notably, her hitting percentage remained exceptional, particularly during her junior and senior years, earning her an AVCA All-America Second Team acknowledgment.

At Texas: In her last season there, Caffey participated in 25 matches and 67 sets, making significant contributions with 95 kills and 72 total blocks. Her dedication culminated in guiding the Longhorns to the 2022 NCAA Division I title, a remarkable achievement in her collegiate career.