Former volleyball stars Carrie McCaw and Lesley Prather, and their 12-year-old daughters, died in a crash in Missouri while on the way to a tournament.
Lousiana fire officials confirmed that Prather, who worked as a firefighter, along with her daughter, Rhyan, died in the crash. It added that McCaw and her daughter Kacey also died in the crash.
Prather played volleyball for Louisville, and McCaw played for Syracuse University, according to CNN.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol said the group was traveling in a vehicle on Interstate 64 in St. Charles County, Missouri, when a truck traveled off the road, overturned, and struck the vehicle.
Prather and one of the girls died at the scene of the crash while McCaw and another girl were pronounced dead at nearby hospitals, officials said.
The crash is currently under investigation.
The Louisville Cardinals team shared its sadness for the loss of a former player.
“Nothing I could say could do her justice or be enough. She was a great student, a great athlete, a fierce competitor, a great person, and a great mom. She was the best teammate and always put her team first. I was blessed to have coached her. My thoughts go out to her husband, Justin, and their children. My heart is broken in a million pieces,” said Prather’s former coach, Leonid Yelin, WLKY reported.
Syracuse also issued a statement following McCaw’s death.
“The Syracuse Athletics family is deeply saddened by the tragic passing of volleyball alumnae Carrie Urton McCaw ’98, and her daughter, Kacey. Our thoughts are with their families and those affected by the fatal crash during this incredibly difficult time,” the university wrote in a statement.
