Former AVP Player and U.S. Olympian Caren Kemner to be inducted into Volleyball Hall of Fame

Former U.S. Olympic Beach Volleyball and AVP women’s player Caren Kemner will be inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Holyoke, MA on October 18. Kemner (48) was a member of the U.S. National Team between 1985 and 1996. During that time the Illinois native competed in three Olympic Games, winning a Bronze Medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

Kemner also led the U.S. to its first ever FIVB World Grand Prix gold medal in 1995.

1999 was the sole year that the University of Arizona graduate competed on the AVP pro tour. That year, while partnered with legendary Hall of Famer Karolyn Kirby, Kemner placed ninth three times: in Hermosa Beach, CA; Clearwater, FL; and Chicago, IL.

“Caren Kemner distinguished herself as a dominating outside hitter who could attack and play defense equally well for so many years with the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team,” said Doug Beal, co-chair of the Volleyball Hall of Fame Selection Committee in an official press release.

Prior to joining the U.S. National Team, Kemner played for two seasons at the University of Arizona. She went on to play professionally in the U.S., Italy, Japan and Brazil.

Kemner will be inducted to the Volleyball Hall of Fame along with Australian beach player Natalie Cook and Russian indoor player Vyacheslav Zaytsev, in Holyoke, where the Hall of Fame is located and where volleyball was first invented.

“Winning a bronze medal, I think will always just stand out as being the highlight,” said Kemner in a statement. “But I really do think this is No. 2 or 3. I’ve retired. I’ve moved on. My days of jumping are gone. But it is very, very nice to be acknowledged this way. I think it’s just a wonderful gift.”