The Epitome of a TU Student-Athlete

At The University of Tulsa, Kayley Cassaday has embodied the term student-athlete.

She has been a standout on the volleyball court and in the classroom, and on Saturday she receives her master's of engineering degree to conclude her time as a Hurricane.

"I just really appreciate everything the school has done for me — my coaches, my professors, the athletics administration, my teammates, my peers, everyone," Cassaday said. "It's just been so amazing, and I wouldn't change anything. I would come back here in a heartbeat."

Volleyball paved the way for Cassaday to come to TU. She has played since she was a kid, and she was 12 when discovered at an open gym by Janice Van Gorp, a legendary coach who instilled many of the lessons that Cassaday has carried with her for more than a decade.

Play without fear. Don't be afraid of making mistakes.

When Cassaday was entering high school in Overland Park, Kansas, Van Gorp sent her a confidence-building email that read: "I'm so excited for you. You're going to set records."

Van Gorp, who tragically died shortly after that from a brain aneurysm, always saw Cassaday's potential. She went on to set program records for kills and attempts in high school while becoming a prized college recruit.

"(The things she instilled in me) are a fundamental part of my game," Cassaday said. "Even if I didn't think about it, it was always there. She's always been there."

When examining her many college options, Cassaday received a crucial phone call that made TU the obvious choice.That call was from a university professor who detailed TU's engineering programs for Cassaday, appealing to her pursuit of a prestigious degree that would propel her to lifelong success after her playing days.

"My parents were like, 'No other schools do that — this is something that's so unique,'" Cassaday said. "I was already saying I liked the school. I liked the size. I liked the volleyball program and the (American Athletic) Conference. So I was like, 'Why not try it?'"

Cassaday arrived to 11th and Harvard with a particular goal in mind: to become an All-American. But her freshman year was difficult, and like many freshmen athletes trying to transition to the next level, she thought about quitting.

"That's just part of it," she said. "But those who overcome that eventually become great college athletes."

COVID-19 soon followed with a shortened season, and Cassaday had to trust the process even during the struggles. The next three years made it all worth it, when she emerged as a starter and developed into one of the nation's top outside hitters.

In 2023, she put together one of the best seasons in program history, leading the country in kills (632) and attacks (1,757) while finishing second for points (681.5) and attacks per set (14.28), third for kills per set (5.14) and fourth for points per set (5.54).

"I'm really proud of the strides I made, mainly on the volleyball court and then just finally maturing and getting over that hump to where I realized I can be an All-American," she said.

That dream became a reality, with Cassaday being selected an honorable-mention All-American by the American Volleyball Coaches Association in addition to a time-time academic All-American. "I can't believe it happened," she said. "I can't believe I did it."

Cassaday's work in the classroom was equally noticed. For a capstone mechanical engineering course, she was part of a team of seniors who researched a project for NASA and ultimately were invited to NASA headquarters in Houston last summer to present the findings.

"We brought our magnetic attachment tool — that's what our project was — and they tested it and a real astronaut tested it underwater to simulate the moon gravity," Cassaday said. "It was so cool."

Cassaday, who plans to play professional volleyball overseas before working in the mechanical engineering field, believes she has been set up for success because of TU.

"There are tons of TU grads that are hired everywhere," she said. "I just feel like this place has prepared me very well for both (professional) volleyball and the workforce once I get there."

The Epitome of a TU Student-Athlete

Players Mentioned

Kayley Cassaday

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