CLEMSON, S.C. – Clemson Volleyball setter Mckenna Slavik has inked a professional contract with AEK Larnaca. The club is located in Karavas, Cyprus and is where current Clemson Head Coach Jackie Simpson Kirr had a pro-playing stint of her own. A five-year starter for the Tigers, Slavik joins AEK Larnaca after completing her collegiate career in the fall of 2023.
“Playing professional volleyball has been a dream of mine since I started playing the sport,” said Slavik. “Having the opportunity to continue doing what I love while getting to see new places and experience different parts of the world is something I am super grateful for. I’m really excited about getting to play for Jackie’s (Simpson Kirr) old team and coach while she was playing professionally in Cyprus. It feels like a full circle moment. I can’t wait to start this new journey in such a beautiful country!”
Slavik appeared in 504 sets for the Tigers and tied for the most career starts (135) in program history with Clemson Athletics Hall of Fame selection Julie Rodriguez. She tallied 4,838 career assists for 9.60 per set, which ranks third and fifth, respectively, all-time at Clemson. She was named a 2022 All-ACC Second Team selection and garnered 2023 Preseason All-ACC recognition. The Saint Charles, Ill., native earned multiple All-Tournament team honors over her five years and was selected to the USA Volleyball Collegiate National Team. In 2023, Slavik led the Tigers in double-doubles (15) and became only the fourth Clemson player, fifth-active Division I player at the time, to surpass 4,000 career assists. She also surpassed 1,000 digs with 17 against Miami. She tallied a career-high 59 assists in the second round of the NIVC Tournament while guiding the Tigers to their deepest postseason run since 2018 with a ‘Great Eight’ finish in the NIVC.
AEK Larnaca announced on July 31 the hiring of Loizos Loizou as the head coach. Loizou returns to the helm of the program and further connects Slavik and Simpson Kirr’s experiences as Simpson Kirr was under his leadership when she played for the club. More on Slavik and Simpson Kirr’s connection can be found by watching their ClemsonPlus feature, Parallel Paths.
“As a former player for AEK Larnaca myself, this is a special moment,” said Simpson Kirr. “Coach Loizou is a wonderful mentor with over 25 years of coaching experience that will continue to help Mckenna’s game evolve. Cyprus is a beautiful country with incredibly…