Francis Marion University Athletics

FMU:  First-year player....First seen when she attended the FMU Elite Camp....Immediately wowed the staff with her ball control and the fact that she is a true 6-rotational outside....Will be extremely beneficial to the program from the beginning and will add strength to our offense because of her ability to put the ball away.....Having her come from Michigan helps because the Midwest has great volleyball and she competes year round with some of the best players in the country.....Will be exciting to see how she can continue to elevate our game....A fierce competitor....Good ball control....Grasps the family motto....Peach Belt Conference Presidential Honor Roll 2021....FMU Swamp Fox Athletic-Academic Honor Roll 2020 (fall), 2021 (spring).

PERSONAL: 

• Born Kathryn Gene Yatooma in Rochester Hills, Mich.
• Graduate of Stoney Creek High School, where she played for coach Ross Talbott
• As a senior, helped the Cougars to a 53-9 record while serving as team captain
• Senior Stats: 169 kills, 137 digs, 46 total blocks, 24 service aces, .169 hitting percentage
• 3-year starter
• Helped the Stoney Creek program to three league titles, three district titles, three tournament titles, and an appearance in the 2018 Regional finals
• Named to the Academic All-State Team each of her final three seasons
• Career totals of 402 kills and 353 digs
• Member of the National Honor Society and the National Spanish Honor Society
• Served as vice president of the Cougar Athletic Leadership Council
• Member of Stoney Creek’s varsity ski team for three seasons
• Played club ball for the Michigan Elite Volleyball Academy, under the direction of head coach Ryan Minarik
• Captained a USVA high performance championship squad
• Member of a beach volleyball 18U tournament champion in 2018
• Nickname is Katie

PERSONAL FAVORITES:

• How you got your nickname: I didn’t like the name Kathryn when I was younger
• As a child what you wanted to be when you grew up: A teacher 
• Favorite Superhero: Captain America 
• Favorite Athlete: Lexi Sun
• Favorite Sports Team: Detroit Red Wings
• Favorite Movie or TV Show: Dynasty (TV show)
• Favorite Food: Avocados 
• Favorite Vacation Spot: Siesta Key, Fla.
• Twitter Handle: katieyatooma
• Instagram Account: katieyatooma
• Your Motivation Music: Hip-Hop/Rap
• Favorite Thing About FMU: The people
• Favorite Off-Field Activity: Bike riding
• Goals for Upcoming Season: Win the PBC
• Why you first chose your sport: I saw a flyer in 5th grade to play rec league volleyball, so I signed up and never stopped playing
• The biggest mental challenge to improving faster: Believing that I AM good enough
• Interesting Notes: I’m a descendent of Ben Franklin; Was a member of my high school ski team; captain of both varsity volleyball and varsity ski teams; a figure skater for 10 years
• Brush With Greatness: Deciding to move across the country to play with an amazing team with amazing players and coaches