Porter leaves UCLA to play pro volleyball

  DANIEL WONG/Daily Bruin Senior Staff Kristee
Porter leaves UCLA as the all-time Pac-10 leader in career
kills with 2,225.

By Diamond Leung
Daily Bruin Senior Staff

Three-sport UCLA athlete Kristee Porter has decided to leave
school to pursue a career in professional volleyball.

“Kristee has distinguished herself as one of the finest
volleyball players in UCLA history,” UCLA associate athletic
director Betsy Stephenson said Friday in a statement.

“Although volleyball was her primary sport while at UCLA,
her contributions to basketball and track and field were
significant. We wish her the best as she pursues her opportunities
at the next level.”

Porter was unavailable for comment.

A two-time All-American outside hitter, Porter broke the UCLA
and Pac-10 career record for kills this season on her way to
leading the Bruins to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament. As a
senior, she completed her eligibility in volleyball last month.

Porter has plans to play in the United States Professional
Volleyball League, which begins its inaugural season in February.
Former Bruins Elisabeth Bachman and Michelle Quon will also play in
the four-team league.

She also plans to try out with the U.S. National Team and could
possibly find herself on the 2004 Olympic Team when the games will
be held in Athens.

In five games for the women’s basketball team, Porter
averaged 11.2 points and 5.6 rebounds. She was the team’s
leading shot blocker.

Porter, a redshirt junior, will forgo her remaining two years of
eligibility.

A third-place finisher in last year’s Pac-10 track and
field championships in the triple jump, Porter also gives up her
senior year in track.