UW’s Muñoz gets another year of eligibility

University of Washington volleyball player Kylin Muñoz learned this week that her college career is not over.

Muñoz received an extra year of eligibility when Brigham Young University released her from the NCAA letter of intent she signed during her senior year at Monroe High School.

Soon after choosing BYU, Muñoz changed her mind and opted to attend the University of Washington. Since BYU did not release her from her letter of intent, the decision cost Muñoz a year of eligibility, She sat out the 2009 season, then played three years as an outside hitter for the Huskies.

Muñoz enjoyed her best season this past fall, helping the Huskies to a 25-7 record and a trip to the NCAA round of 16. She was the only outside hitter ranked in the top 10 in blocks in the Pac-12, and the only player in the top 10 in both blocks and service aces. She finished seventh with 1.22 blocks per set and third in the Pac-12 with 0.32 aces per set

Muñoz expressed gratitude to BYU for allowing her to continue her career.

“Words cannot describe how appreciative I am of (BYU athletic director) Tom Holmoe, (BYU head coach) Shawn Olmstead and Brigham Young University for allowing me this opportunity,” Muñoz said in a statement released by UW. “It demonstrates how they truly care about the student-athletes as individuals and reflects why Brigham Young was on my final list of schools to begin with.”

Huskies coach Jim McLaughlin also praised BYU.

“It would have been very easy for BYU to dismiss Ky’s request,” he said. “but they really took the time to look at all the facts in making the decision to grant her a belated release.

“Ky is an exceptional young lady who is the epitome of the term ‘student-athlete.’ She is a very good student and an outstanding volleyball player who will help us immensely next year, but she is an even better person.”