Katie Kennedy, Aidan Knipe Named Big West 2023-24 Scholar-Athletes Of The Year

8/22/2024 1:45:00 PM | Men's Volleyball, Women's Volleyball

Kennedy and Knipe both graduated from Long Beach State University with Master’s Degrees and 4.0 GPAs

By: Lindy Zamora, Associate Athletic Communications Director

IRVINE, Calif. – The Big West announced the 22 individuals who were named 2023-24 Big West Scholar-Athletes of the Year. Two student-athletes from each institution – one male and one female – were honored by their institutions and the conference for the accomplishments on the field of play, in the classroom, and in their communities. Volleyball players Katie Kennedy and Aidan Knipe represented Long Beach State after both graduated in the spring with master's degrees and 4.0 grade point averages.

Kennedy is a six-time Big West All-Conference selection after having earned the accolades with both indoor and beach volleyball. The product out of Hood River, Ore., concluded her Long Beach State career averaging 2.46 kills per set on a .237 attack percentage to go along with 0.59 blocks per set. In her final season, Kennedy led the Beach in hitting percentage (.329) and was second in blocks per set (0.82).

Off the court, Kennedy was an active member of LBSU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and co-founded a mindfulness club for female student-athletes at the middle school, high school, and collegiate levels.

A Summa Cum Laude graduate of Long Beach State University, Kennedy made the President's List and The Big West Commissioner's Honor Roll every semester of her academic career. She graduated with a master's degree in Kinesiology in May 2024 and boasted a 4.0 GPA.

Kennedy is currently on a year-long backpacking trip around the world with her best friend, teammate, and business partner, Leah Black.

"Katie Kennedy is a one-of-a-kind human," said Long Beach State Interim Head Women's Volleyball Coach Natalie Reagan. "She embodies everything our program strives for: academic achievement, dedicated leadership, and athletic excellence. Her devotion to her university, her teammates, and her community is inspiring. We are truly blessed to have been a part of her journey."

Knipe is coming off an excellent senior campaign in which he garnered All-AVCA Second Team All-American honors. A three-time AVCA All-American and a 2024 All-Big West First Team selection, Knipe concluded his collegiate career ranked seventh all-time at Long Beach State with 3,212 career assists. In the last three seasons, he led the Beach to three-straight NCAA Final Fours and to a pair of NCAA Championship appearances. A year ago, as he piloted the squad to a .342 season attack percentage as he distributed 10.28 assists per set to rank sixth in the nation as the Beach advanced to the NCAA Championship match. In addition, Knipe was named the Dodge Parker "Ironman" Award winner in 2021 which is awarded to the Long Beach State Men's Volleyball player(s) who went above and beyond what is required of them to be an ironman.

An All-Big West setter, Knipe has worked tirelessly off the court to grow the game by teaching, coaching, and providing mentorship to fellow setters.

In the classroom, Knipe graduated Summa Cum Laude from Long Beach State with a 4.0 GPA en route to earning master's degree in Sport Management in May 2024. Knipe was a member of the President's List and Big West Commissioner's Honor Roll, while a student at Long Beach State.

Knipe will begin his professional volleyball career with the Apoel Nicosia Club in Cyprus before returning to the United States to work in the front office of a major sports organization.

"Aidan exemplifies everything we want our student-athletes to embody," LBSU Men's Volleyball Head Coach Alan Knipe said. "From his outstanding achievements on the court, in the classroom, and within the community, Aidan sets incredibly high standards for himself graduating Summa Cum Laude with his undergrad and graduate degrees. Aidan has proven his dedication and excellence. The program couldn't be prouder of him.

"On a personal note, it's clear he takes after his mother in more ways than one," Knipe added about his wife, Jennifer, who graduated Cum Laude from Long Beach State University with both her undergraduate and master's degrees, before going on to earn her teaching credential from the Beach.