SAN DIEGO — University of Washington outside hitter Kierstyn Barton has been added to the San Diego volleyball roster as a transfer, head coach Jennifer Petrie announced on Thursday morning.

"Kierstyn combines grit, athleticism, and drive—she's the kind of player who changes the momentum of a game," Petrie said. "Her energy, toughness, and commitment to excellence make her an exciting athlete to coach."

A native of Chandler, Arizona, Barton will join the Toreros as a senior for the 2026 season. She spent the first three years of her college career in Seattle, where she appeared in 75 matches and 277 sets for the Huskies while totaling 895 kills, 512 digs, 93 blocks (12 solo), 50 service aces, and 38 assists.

As a junior in 2025, Barton was an All-Big Ten First Team selection and earned AVCA All-North Region Honors, pacing the Huskies' offense with 400 kills and a 3.57 kills per set average while adding 1.96 digs per set. Barton was one of just five players in the Big Ten to have 400-plus kills and 200-plus digs during the 2025 season and posted double-figure kills in all but three matches she played. She led Washington in kills 16 times and had seven double-doubles (kills and digs) in 2025. When San Diego and UW met at Alaska Airlines Arena on September 14, Barton tied her career high with 21 kills while hitting .318.

She was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team as a sophomore in 2024 and earned Pac-12 All-Freshman honors alongside three Pac-12 Freshman of the Week awards during her college debut season in 2023.

Barton is the second transfer the Toreros have added this offseason after Petrie announced the signing of middle blocker Meghan Scholz from DePaul on December 16.

The Toreros will begin their pursuit of a second consecutive West Coast Conference title and NCAA Tournament berth in August 2026.