New Mexico Military Institute's Kae Sato has signed to play at the next level for Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida. The 5 '3 libero was named to the 2025 NJCAA DI Volleyball All-America Second Team while adding three WJCAC Player of the Week honors. 

Sato signed to play at D2 Barry University in Florida under Director of Volleyball Leonid Yelin and Associate Head Coach Steven Soriano. A defensive standout for the Bronco volleyball team, she helped lead her squad to a 24-11 overall record during the 2025 campaign, and a 11-3 mark in conference. That was enough for a No. 10 seed at the NJCAA's D1 Women's Volleyball National Championships. She was second in the nation and led NMMI in digs with 673 digs in her lone season for the Institute. 

"She's going to be able to be really successful there. She came right in here as a freshman and started and played for us every game and won numerous awards and overall just had a really good season. Now, she's been doing really well in the off season, getting better ," said Bronco volleyball head coach Shelby Forchtner. "It's also good for her to get in another system, a very good Division 2 program that's had a ton of success and they need a starting libero," said Forchtner.

"I really enjoyed how the coaches wanted me there and made me feel part of the team right away. They also have a lot of international students at Barry University and I will fit right in and obviously they have a really good volleyball program where I can continue to grow as a player and person ," said Sato when asked why she chose Barry University.

"Her communication skills are the one thing that we have worked on the most here while she's been playing. And I think this year, that's the thing that she's gained the most from us.So hopefully she'll take that with her to the next level," said Forchtner. 

Sato is one of many liberos that have come to NMMI and earned All-American honors under Head Coach Shelby Forchtner.