Former WSU volleyball player Carrie (Couturier) Yerty died Tuesday of Colon Cancer. Yerty was a four-year starter at WSU and was tenured coach at multiple levels. 

Her Cougar tenure was between 1988–91 and her playing career ended as the universities all-time career leader in blocks with 615, a record that still stands to this day, according to WSU volleyball. 

Once she finished her playing career, she coached at University of Memphis for 12 seasons, becoming the winningest coach in program history with 233 wins to 174 losses.  

“Our program is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of coach Carrie Yerty. Those who had the pleasure of knowing Carrie knew she was a fierce competitor both as a player and a coach but also someone who cared deeply for those she was around,” Memphis head coach Sean Burdette said. 

Yerty had recently retired from her position as Briarcrest Christian School’s head volleyball coach, a position she held since 2018 after two years as an assistant coach. In her years as head coach, the team went 134-11 and won three-straight State Championships, the only coach in school history to accomplish that feat. 

She was also recognized as Coach of the Year by both the Daily Memphian and the Commercial Appeal in 2018, ‘19 and ‘20. Her 2018 BCS team ranked as high as fifth in the nation by Prep Volleyball and was named Team of the Year by The Commercial Appeal in 2019, according to Briarcrest Christain School. 

In 2020, she was given the Dr. Clair E. Cox Award for Teacher Excellence by the school for her coaching success and also due to serving as the Athletic Director for the Elementary school athletics. 

“Carrie has impacted the lives of countless young women. Her desire to share the Gospel was evident in her daily walk and courageous spirit,” said Caron Swatley, president of Briarcrest Christian School.  

Yerty’s family has requested donations to the Carrie Yerty Courage and Discipleship Fund in her memory.