Kansas State head volleyball coach Jason Mansfield announced the addition of LSU transfer and Kansas native Ella Larkin to the Wildcats’ roster for the upcoming 2024 season.
“Ella is a Kansas kid who is humble, hardworking and incredibly skilled,” Mansfield said in a written statement. “She has been around the game her whole life, so we love how high her volleyball IQ is and how well she sees the game. Ella played at a very high level in both indoor and beach at LSU and those experiences have shaped her into an even more well-rounded player. We are so excited to welcome Ella to our Wildcat family!”
Larkin, a 5-foot-10 defensive specialist and libero, comes to K-State after three seasons with the indoor and beach volleyball squads at LSU. With the Tigers, she appeared in 227 sets over the course of 57 matches. Larkin totaled 817 digs (3.6 per set), 1,018 assists (4.5 per set) and 53 kills (0.2 per set) with 38 service aces during her time in Baton Rouge.
A product of Maize, Kansas, Larkin earned AVCA South Central All-Region honors in her 2022 sophomore campaign, as she appeared in all 30 matches and played in all 119 sets as the Tigers’ starting libero. She finished leading the SEC in digs per set (4.34) and total digs (516), while her 516 digs tied fifth overall in the program’s single-season records. She was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team after securing a starting position as a setter.
“I am super excited to be a part of the K-State volleyball program,” said Larkin. “I chose K-State because being closer to home means a lot to me and for the competitive environment that the program has.”
“The support from family, friends, and fans is something I am thankful for every day. I am excited that they get a chance to watch and experience the culture that comes with K-State volleyball this fall,” Larkin added.
Prior to her commitment to LSU, Larkin was a two-sport athlete at Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, playing basketball and volleyball. She was a four-time All-State selection and led Bishop Carroll to the Kansas Sub-State Championships in 2017, 2018 and 2019, with a third-place finish in 2020. Larkin was also named to the Basketball All-State Team in 2017, leading her team to a runner-up finish at state.
Larkin is the daughter of Scott and Jennifer Larkin. She has two brothers, Austin and Luke, and two sisters, Ally and Logan. Her father, Scott, played volleyball at BYU and went on to play professionally.
K-State officially opens the 2024 season Friday, August 30 in West Layfette, Ind., as the Wildcats take part in the Purdue Volleyball’s Stacey Clark Classic. The three-day tournament will include matchups against tournament host Purdue (Aug. 30), UC Davis (Aug. 31), and UMBC (Sept. 1).
