VANCOUVER – After leading the UBC Thunderbirds to an historic national championship while also collecting multiple MVP awards, Kiera Van Ryk has decided to begin her professional volleyball career having signed a contract with Volley Bergamo of Italy's Serie A1, one of the top leagues in the world.
 
First arriving on campus in the fall of 2017, Van Ryk saw a meteoric rise, quickly becoming one of the top varsity athletes in the country across all sports. The Surrey, BC native was named the U SPORTS women's volleyball Rookie of the Year in 2018 after helping lead the Thunderbirds to a bronze medal finish at the national championship tournament at Université Laval.


 
Her second season with the T-Birds was one for the ages, culminating in the program's 12th national championship. The member of Canada's senior women's team topped the Canada West in 2018-19 with 398 kills and 489 points. Van Ryk's 68 service aces stands as the second highest single-season total in conference history.


 
"I'm excited and looking forward to the big challenge and opportunity to test myself in one of the top leagues in the world," said Van Ryk. " At the same time,  I'm also sad at to leave the Thunderbirds family and volleyball program earlier than expected. I wouldn't have been able to realize this opportunity without the coaching, guidance and competition at UBC over the last two years. My teammates were also a big part in pushing me to get better and as a group it was so thrilling to win a U SPORTS national championships this season, it's something I'll never forget. The T-Birds volleyball program has definitely been a springboard in helping me reach my potential and get to the next level, I'm looking forward to the challenges that lay ahead in Italy while also trying to help team Canada in our efforts to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics."


 
Named the Canada West MVP, Van Ryk went on to become the 11th Thunderbird to earn the Mary Lyons Award as U SPORTS' women's volleyball Player of the Year. She also earned national championship tournament MVP after leading the gold medal match with 24 kills.
 
"I couldn't imagine she would have done in two years what she has accomplished," said UBC head coach Doug Reimer. "Her growth has been remarkable, to be able to be a key member of our senior women's national team looking to qualify for the Olympics and then to be able to play in one of the top leagues in the world."


 
Van Ryk capped off her incredible year by being named the inaugural recipient of the women's Lieutenant Governor Athletic Award as U SPORTS Athlete of the Year.
 
There's no question her presence both on and off the court will be missed by her fellow players and coaches as someone who is viewed as a tremendous teammate and leader.


 
"For our program it's bittersweet," said Reimer. "One of my guiding principles in recruiting top players is we want to support our national team program and players' development to include playing professionally. We've had a number of people move on and have very successful professional careers. For us to play a small part in that for Kiera is very satisfying and what our program is all about."