Kyra Moore is in for a big transition as she takes her volleyball talents outside of the city limits for the first time in her playing career.
Moore — who played for Iola High before spending a year in Whitney Shaw’s Allen Community College program — will attend Baker University this fall.
“I wanted to go to Baker before (I went) to Allen as well, but I didn’t do it because it is my hometown and I love Coach (Shaw) and everything,” Moore said. “(Allen) was just very comforting.”
The decision to switch schools developed quickly for Moore when Baker hired Matt Windle to be its head coach. The new coach immediately targeted Moore to fill a need for his program.
“It is a great school,” Moore said. “I like the campus and the coach at Baker and since it is a four-year school, it was a great opportunity for me to move on.”
Although Shaw will miss not having Moore back for her sophomore season, she understands why she decided to make the leap to a four-year school now.
“She was only here for a year, but she came in with quite a few credits because she is a local kid and she was going to graduate at semester,” Shaw said. “The coach there is excited to utilize her and he will be able to use her in the setting and right-side position quite a bit.”
Moore said she was grateful for everything Shaw did for her.
“I am super thankful for Coach Shaw,” Moore said. “She has developed me into the player that I am today. She pushed me to work on new things and try and reach my limits.”
Moore, the daughter of Kris and Lori Moore, will pursue a degree in exercise science while having three years of eligibility to play volleyball in Baldwin City.
Baker finished last season with a 15-15 record.
