Feb. 8, 2008

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Michigan standout Carly Bykerk a midfielder/forward from Grand Rapids South Christian High School signs with the University of Memphis women's soccer program.

Bykerk hails from Caledonia, Michigan where she was a four-year letterwinner for her high school team, coached by Jason Boersma. In 2005, Bykerk was an All-State honorable mention. She earned All-Conference, All-District and All-Region honors from 2005-2007. In 2006 and 2007, Bykerk earned First Team All-State accolades. Last season she tallied 28 goals and 12 assists, bringing her career total to 83 goals and 51 assists. She holds the school record for single season goals (38) and assists (22), which she set in 2006.

She played club for the West Michigan Fire Juniors, under Coach Tara Wagner. Carly is a former member of the Michigan Olympic Development Program State team.

A member of the National Honor Society from 2004-07, Bykerk is also involved in the pep band and student volunteer organization at her school.

Carly is the daughter of Jeff and Nancy Bykerk. The couple has eleven children and Carly is the third oldest.

"Carly is a very versatile player. We will look for her to play in the back as a central defender or an outside back and also in the midfield," said Head Coach Brooks Monaghan. "She is a very technical player that reads the game very well. Carly is very competitive and will come in with a lot of experience having played her junior and senior years in the W-League. She's the type of athlete every coach wants on their team. I'm extremely excited to have Carly join our program, not only is she a very talented soccer player but she is a great individual."