A big get for first-year Fort Hays State volleyball coach Jessica Wood-Atkins. Kayla Vitztum, who had signed a letter of intent last November with Newman University in Wichita, has been released from that commitment and will play at Fort Hays State this fall.

The multi-sport standout who helped TMP-Marian win the 3A state championship this past season, tweeted about the move Wednesday.

 

A 5-10 outside hitter, Vitztum was a three-time KVA All-State selection, picking up first team honors as a senior after earning honorable mention accolades as a sophomore and junior. She led the Monarchs to the 2017 Kansas Class 3A state championship, wrapping up the year with a 42-3 record. Vitztum was named first team all-league three times, helping the Monarchs to four-straight MCL league titles. She is the MCL all-time leader in kills, compiling 1,040 kills in her career. Vitztum’s career numbers include a .301 attack percentage, 116 blocks, 750 digs and 147 aces. She was selected to play in the 2018 KVA All-Star Game and served as the varsity team captain as a senior. Vitztum totaled 471 kills, a .334 swing rate, 34 blocks, 304 digs and 55 aces in her standout senior season.

In addition to earning four letters in volleyball, she played four years of basketball, four years of soccer and two years of track and field. She was a three-time All-State selection in basketball and once earned the honor on the soccer pitch. Vitztum competed in seven state championships as a Monarch, including three in volleyball, three in basketball and one in soccer. Vitztum’s brother, Jared, is a member of the Tiger men’s basketball team.