HOME LIFE: Kizzy grew up in Western Montana on her family's cattle ranch in the Big Hole Valley. She moved to Logan, Utah when she was 9 years old for her mom to coach volleyball for Utah State. She then moved to St. George, Utah for 7 years and finally to Alpine, Utah to finish up high school. She was then recruited to play for Arizona State University, where she met her husband, Rathen (Let's help you pronounce that: it's "Nathan" with an 'R') and were married in 2015. Rathen and Kizzy now live in Ogden, where Rathen is finishing his final year of NCAA eligibility with the Weber State Football. 

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EDUCATION: Kizzy attended Arizona State University and earned her degree in 2016 Magna Cum Laude in Business Communications. She was an 8-time Dean's list Nominee as well as a 2-time 1st Team PAC-12 All-Academic member. 

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VOLLEYBALL CAREER: Being raised in a gym with her mom as a college coach and surrounded by volleyball led to Kizzy's young love for the game. Kizzy played club volleyball throughout her youth as well as with numerous USA HP and Pipeline teams.

 

She was a 2-time Utah State Champion and swept every award/title there was to earn in her 2012-2013 season, doing what no single player has ever done in the state of Utah thus far. This included, but was not limited to; Utah’s Ms. Volleyball, Utah’s MVP, Utah’s Offensive Player of the Year, Utah’s Gatorade Player of the Year, and was named to the 1st Team Under Armor High School All-American team.

 

In 2012, Kizzy was a member of the USA Women's Jr. National Team where she competed in the USA Championships to win the gold medal as well as in the NORCECA Championships held in Managua, Nicaragua to win the bronze medal.

 

She then went on to become a starter for Arizona State during her freshman year, where she played Outside and Right Side. Kizzy helped Arizona State break numerous records, sweep ranked #2 Texas, and earn a top 5 National Ranking in their 2015 season. Unfortunately, Kizzy became very ill during her last season at Arizona State and was unable to compete in her senior year.

 

COACHING CAREER: Kizzy has coached youth camps and clinics for over 10 years, as well as both boys and girls club and high school. She has personally been a part of over 5 club seasons and 4 high school seasons. Kizzy now travels the Western US to hold her own summer volleyball camps for ages 3-12 grade with her own business, Get Up 10. 

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WHY I COACH: "I have always wanted to inspire or motivate others in a positive way. But most importantly, I want to be a woman who teaches by being. I am extremely passionate about the game of volleyball and my career was cut short due to health complications, so now I feel as if I have unused and pent up passion that needs to be used!! I now want to give back to the sport that gave me so much."  

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VOLLEYBALL IDOL: Misty-May Treanor and Kerri Walsh-Jennings