Kara Bajema is a rising star in the world of volleyball. At 6 feet 2 inches tall, she dominates the court with her athleticism and powerful hitting. Bajema has already achieved success at the collegiate and professional levels, and she is poised for a bright future in the sport.
| Full Name | Kara Jane Bajema |
| Sport | Volleyball |
| Position | Outside Hitter |
| Date of Birth | March 24, 1998 |
| Place of Birth | Lynden, Washington, United States |
| Height | 6’2″ (1.88 m) |
| College | University of Washington |
| Current Club | VakıfBank S.K. (Turkey) |
| National Team | United States |
| Net Worth | $1 million – $5 million (estimated) |
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Early Life and College Career of Kara Bajema
Kara Bajema was born in Lynden, Washington, on December 22, 1998. She grew up playing volleyball and basketball, but eventually decided to focus on volleyball. Bajema attended Lynden Christian High School, where she was a standout player. She was named the Gatorade Washington Player of the Year in 2016.
After high school, Kara Bajema attended the University of Washington, where she played for the Huskies. She had an outstanding collegiate career, earning numerous accolades. Kara Bajema was a three-time AVCA All-American and the 2019 Pac-12 Player of the Year. She finished her college career with 1,482 kills, which is sixth-most in school history.
Professional Career
After graduating from college in 2020, Bajema signed her first professional contract with VBC Casalmaggiore in Italy. She played for Casalmaggiore for one season before moving to KS DevelopRes Rzeszów in Poland. Kara Bajema helped DevelopRes Rzeszów win the Polish Cup in 2022, and she was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
In 2022, Kara Bajema signed with VakıfBank S.K., one of the top volleyball clubs in the world. She is currently playing for VakıfBank in the Turkish Women’s Volleyball League.
International Career
Kara Bajema made her debut for the United States national team in 2022. She has represented the United States in the FIVB Volleyball Nations League and the FIVB Volleyball World Championship. Bajema is considered to be one of the future stars of the U.S. national team.
Playing Style
kara Bajema is a versatile outside hitter who can score in a variety of ways. She is known for her powerful jump serve and her ability to hit from the back row. Bajema is also a strong blocker and passer.
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Future Outlook
Kara Bajema is still young and has many years of volleyball ahead of her. She is already one of the best players in the world, and she is only going to get better. Bajema is a key member of the U.S. national team, and she is expected to play a major role in the team’s success in the years to come.
Personal Life
Lara Bajema is the youngest of three siblings. Her older sister, Coryn, plays soccer, and her brother, Cole, plays basketball. Bajema is majoring in education, communities, and organizations at the University of Washington.
Career Highlights
- AVCA First Team All-American (2019)
- Pac-12 Player of the Year (2019)
- AVCA All-Region Team (2018, 2019)
- Pac-12 All-Freshman Team (2016)
- Polish Cup Champion (2022)
- Polish Cup MVP (2022)
- Polish Super Cup Champion (2022)
Overall Career Stats:
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 249 |
| Kills | 2,554 |
| Kills per Set | 4.16 |
| Hitting Percentage | .270 |
| Attacks | 6,458 |
| Errors | 909 |
| Aces | 123 |
| Digs | 749 |
| Blocks (Total) | 228 |
| Blocks per Set | 0.37 |
Additional Stats:
- Highest Kills in a Match: 33 (University of Washington vs. Utah, November 17, 2019)
- Best Hitting Percentage in a Match: .632 (VakıfBank S.K. vs. Fenerbahçe Opet, November 14, 2023)
- Most Aces in a Match: 5 (KS DevelopRes Rzeszów vs. Grot Budowlani Łódź, October 27, 2022)
- Most Digs in a Match: 18 (University of Washington vs. Stanford, October 27, 2019)
- Most Blocks (Total) in a Match: 7 (KS DevelopRes Rzeszów vs. Chemik Police, February 15, 2022)
Club Career Breakdown:
| Club | Seasons | Matches | Kills | Hitting % | Aces | Digs | Blocks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VBC Casalmaggiore | 2020-21 | 50 | 524 | .258 | 17 | 139 | 37 |
| KS DevelopRes Rzeszów | 2021-22 | 53 | 517 | .265 | 28 | 182 | 39 |
| VakıfBank S.K. | 2022-Present | 46 | 492 | .281 | 24 | 188 | 42 |
College Career Breakdown:
| Season | Team | Matches | Kills | Hitting % | Aces | Digs | Blocks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | University of Washington | 30 | 275 | .228 | 10 | 122 | 27 |
| 2017-18 | University of Washington | 29 | 425 | .228 | 15 | 128 | 24 |
| 2018-19 | University of Washington | 33 | 475 | .286 | 19 | 131 | 31 |
| 2019-20 | University of Washington | 33 | 597 | .280 | 33 | 178 | 45 |
International Career:
| Tournament | Year | Matches | Kills | Hitting % | Aces | Digs | Blocks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIVB Volleyball Nations League | 2022 | 15 | 123 | .275 | 4 | 26 | 10 |
| FIVB Volleyball World Championship | 2022 | 8 | 62 | .283 | 1 | 11 | 3 |
Additional Awards and Achievements:
- 2023 CEV Champions League Silver Medal
- 2022 Turkish Super Cup Champion
- 2022 Polish Cup Champion (MVP)
- 3x AVCA All-American (2018-2020)
- 2019 Pac-12 Player of the Year
- 2019 Tom Hansen Medal Winner
- 2016 Gatorade Washington Player of the Year
- 2x Pac-12 All-Freshman Team (2016-2017)