Gainesville, FL

Kailyn Howard has officially signed to Carson Newman University.

After spending her first two collegiate seasons with Santa Fe, Kailyn Howard will be heading to Carson Newman University in Jefferson City, TN. Howard comes from Ocala, FL as a Forest High School graduate, playing on the volleyball team as both an outside hitter and a defensive specialist.

In both seasons, Howard was a trustworthy player under head coach Bailey Coleman. Across her career, Howard posted 429 kills, 532 points, and 368 digs; proving her potential both on offense and defense. She averaged 2.83 kills per set, as well as 2.10 digs per set. Her standout ability as a hybrid player earned her recognition from both her teammates and her coaches alike during her time at Santa Fe.

As a student, Howard has earned many recognitions in her two years. She was awarded NJCAA All-Academic, FCSAA Academic All-State, and All-Saints Academic Team honors each semester. She earned her role as the Freshman Vice President as a member of the SAAC Committee, and won the 2024-25 FCA Heart of a Champion Award. She was the SAAC President, a member of the FCSAA Executive Committee, and served on the A&S Fees Budget Committee all in her second year.

Bringing a decorated career both on and off the court with her, Howard will be joining a talented Carson-Newman Hawks team that went 24-6 in the 2025 season. For their performance under head coach Cat Collins, the team was awarded with an appearance in the NCAA Southwest regional. Given the team's success under Collins, Howard will have a great opportunity to further her career with an already successful Carson-Newman program.