Kierra Holst

Classroom

Oklahoma outside hitter Kierra Holst plans to graduate in May 2016. Holst is majoring in sociology and has added a minor in history. She has discovered a love for history and put a renewed emphasis on her academics as a result. She is a two-time Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll selection and a two-time Sooner Scholar. Oklahoma’s academic advisor praises her for her passion for learning and how that translates to her teammates.

Character

A unique collegiate student-athlete, Holst leads by example as a person who is completely comfortable with who she is, and she makes no apologies for that. She shares her passion for life, for learning and for unique interests with her teammates. Holst uses a wonderful season of humor in her leadership efforts as well. She has been a role model for other teammates whose interests are unique to follow their passions. While she is a quiet leader, she is very well respected by her teammates.

Community

Holst has been active in the Sooners’ community service efforts, particularly involved in OU’s annual fundraising effort for pediatric cancer research. These efforts are in memory of Sooner Head Coach Santiago Restrepo’s son, Javi, who died in 2009 at the age of four.

Competition

Holst was voted Big 12 Preseason Co-Player of the Year by league coaches and unanimous selection to 2015 Preseason All-Big 12 Team. This has been her second year to earn unanimous vote on the preseason team. Holst is third overall selection to preseason squad. Holst has garnered 2014 AVCA All-Southwest First Team, 2014 AVCA honorable-mention All-American and 2014 All-Big 12 First Team honors. She started every match and played every set in 2014 as OU’s outside hitter. Holst led the Sooner attack with 3.75 kills per set to go with a .243 hitting percentage last season while setting an OU record for kills in a season during the 25-point, rally-scoring era with 450. Holst also led the Big 12 with 54 service aces. She was a two-time Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honoree and earned the espnW Volleyball Player of the Week award following Oklahoma’s stunning 3-0 upset at No. 2 Texas. Holst started in every match and played every set for OU as a sophomore in 2013. She is first in total attacks (1,008), second in kills (346) and in points (402.5). She is also second in aces and fourth in blocks. As a freshman, Holst played in all 33 matches and 116 sets, had 24 starts and was named to Big 12 All-Freshman Team in 2012.