Katelin Kuklentz, a senior on the Neumann University volleyball team, set the career mark for kill in a 3-0 win over Keystone College on Wednesday, October 2.
Kuklentz, nickname “Kookie”, needed just two kills against Keystone to break the record of 1380, held by Julia Tarloski who played for the Knights from 2005-08.
Kuklentz reached the 1,000 kill mark in her junior season in a match against Frostburg on September 29. In addition to 1,000 kills, she also is a member of the 1,000 digs club, also reaching that make during her junior season against Ursinus on October 13.
“She is not only a great player but also a great student and a great representative of Neumann University,” says Head Coach Deana Jespersen. “We would not be as successful as we have been these past couple years without her.”
Over her four years at Neumann, Kuklentz has played in 119 matches. Each season, the Knights have gone further in the postseason. During her freshman season, Neumann reached the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) semifinals. She was named the CSAC Rookie of the Year, received First Team All-Conference honors, was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Freshman of the Year as well as being named AVCA All-Region Honorable Mention.
The next season, the Knights were the CSAC Runners-Up and made an ECAC South Tournament appearance. Kuklentz was named to the All-CSAC Second Team.
Last season, Neumann won the CSAC Championship and Kuklentz was named the Tournament MVP. The Knights represents the CSAC in the NCAA Tournament. She received All-CSAC First Team honors.
Not only has Kuklentz achieved a lot on the court, but the Early Childhood Education Major has also been named to the CSAC All-Academic team for three seasons and to the Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area in 2012.