Coach Hegerle

Sept. 29 - First match held at Harold Newman Arena (3-1 over Bellevue, Neb.)

Sept. 29 - Hegerle’s 200th career victory (3-1 over Bellevue, Neb.)

Sept. 30 - Final match played at Hansen Center (3-1 over Dakota St., S.D.)

Dec. 1 - First NAIA Round of 16 reached

2018 big in our brains. We’re just out there playing volleyball and doing what we do.”

Sept. 4 - First GPAC match (3-1 over Dakota Wesleyan, S.D.)

Kalli’s block for match point was a poetic finish to a postseason that included another GPAC tournament title, six sweeps and back-to-back, five-set thrillers at the end.

“Disbelief,” Anna Holen said. “Just the fact that we finally did it.”

Anna, who finished her career as UJ’s all-time leader in digs (2,204) and tied for fourth all-time in kills (1,368), was named MVP of the tournament, while Ellie was named NAIA Defender of the Year.

“If what we were doing on the court could bring somebody enough joy to want to defeat death, we knew it was something special,” Anna said.

Nov. 16 - GPAC Tournament Champions (3-0 over College of Saint Mary, Neb.)

Dec. 6 - First NAIA Round of 16 Victory (3-2 over Lindsey Wilson, Ky.)

Dec. 6 - First NAIA Quarterfinal Victory (3-1 over Northwestern, Iowa)

Dec. 7 - NAIA Semifinalist

Feb. 3 - First time Achieving NAIA’s No. 1 ranking

April 10 - GPAC Tournament Champions (3-0 over Northwestern, Iowa)

April 29 - Hegerle’s 300th career victory (3-0 over Eastern Oregon, NAIA Quarterfinals)

April 30 - NAIA Semifinalist

Oct. 30 - GPAC Champions

2020

Nov. 14 - GPAC Champions

Nov. 27 - NAIA Final Site Qualifier 2019

Nov. 13 - GPAC Tournament Champions (3-0 over Concordia, Neb.)

Dec. 3 - NAIA Semifinalist

2022

Nov. 1 - GPAC Champions

Nov. 14Covid pushes postseason to spring 2021 2021

Nov. 12 - GPAC Tournament Champions (3-1 over Concordia, Neb.)

Dec. 5 - First NAIA Semifinal victory (3-2 over Midland, Neb.)

Dec. 6 - First NAIA National Championship (3-2 over Corban, Ore.)

Coming Full Circle

Remember those seven former JV players who were varsity “rookies” in 2022?

Olson, a sophomore middle from North Dakota Class B volleyball powerhouse Langdon, would earn NAIA All-American honorable mention accolades, and Johnson and Sherman would join Olson on the All-GPAC list.

But that’s what Jimmie volleyball does. It’s all a component of what Hegerle has always referred to as “Perpetual Ascension,” where the next team pushes the ceiling a little higher than the last.

Like at the end of 2017, when Jamestown lost seven key contributors – including AllAmericans Haley Glasoe, Madison Wendel and Elise Peterson – after finally advancing to the national tournament’s Round of 16. In 2018, however, the Jimmies were right back competing at the national tournament in Sioux City.

Or again in 2019, when after advancing to the NAIA semifinals for the first time in program history, Jamestown said goodbye to five starters that boasted All-Americans Britta Knudson and Isabel Wedell.

Jamestown, like clockwork, seamlessly reloaded and has played in all three national tournament semifinals ever since.

Here’s what the ascension looks like from 50,000 feet.

Since Hegerle took over the Jimmies in 2009, the program has produced 41 all-conference athletes and 20 NAIA All-Americans, en route to 372 victories in 488 matches, eight conference titles, seven conference tournament titles and 10 national tournament appearances.

Hegerle’s been voted conference coach of the year eight times and, following national championship No. 1, earned his second NAIA coach of the year trophy.

Those types of results and accolades can’t all be X’s and O’s.

“What it is, is pouring into your teammates, because in reality others are more important than you,” Kalli Hegerle said. “It’s crazy how eye-opening something can be … just everyone loving each other and supporting each other so greatly. I feel like that really goes into success and I feel like people don’t necessarily see success in that way.”

Epilogue

Only after winning it all did it become clear that Perpetual Ascension has more substance than the obvious linear team results. When distilled into individual four-year journeys, UJ volleyball’s message is actually the building blocks to producing good people, not championships.

From coach Hegerle’s first Hansen Center team huddle in 2009, to hoisting the national championship trophy, his athletes grow to love themselves and their teammates, while arguably learning what they truly want out of life.

“Individual personal growth is the most important part of our program. That’s why I’m here,” Hegerle said. “That’s why they come here, for the classrooms, for the campus, for their experience here. So, the litmus test for me is, when a player is done playing here, have they had a significant growth experience in a positive way?”

It’s why Kalli came to her uncle’s program in 2020, even after earning Summit League AllFreshman Team honors for NDSU in 2018. Growth for her came when the pressure of winning was replaced with a love for herself and her team.

“It’s so, so eye-opening,” Kalli said. “Yes, volleyball is important, but it’s not everything. Yes, winning can be important, but winning’s not everything.”

Kalli graduated from UJ in December with a communications degree and is currently an intern at Engelbert Training Systems (ETS), an athlete performance center, in Moorhead, Minnesota.

Anna Holen has begun work as an emergency room nurse for Sanford in Fargo.

Competitive women’s volleyball at UJ is a vehicle aimed at answering life’s big questions, which in turn produces grounded, self-aware young adults who can’t help but impact the world around them.

Athletic titles might be achieved along the way, or they might not. It’s only dessert, after all.

And as the program prepares to hang its championship banner from the rafters, remember that national title promises didn’t lead to talented UJ recruits playing JV or waiting out their turn on the varsity bench. Promises to become a better person did.

Jimmie volleyball seniors Averi Beyer and Kadyn Mehring probably summed it up best in their written, season-ending reflections to coach Hegerle.

Beyer, a serving specialist over UJ’s last two seasons, was a former North Dakota Class A Senior Athlete of the Year for Fargo Davies High School.

Mehring was a local standout at Carrington High School before playing in 24 career matches for the Jimmies.

Both have spent a good portion of their time on campus pouring into others rather than racking up statistics.

“This team is the best thing I’ve ever been a part of, and I’m so grateful to have been a part of something bigger than myself, especially Jimmie volleyball. There are truly not enough words to describe what this season meant, and I don’t think that being national champions will ever feel real. I will always be grateful, regardless.” –

Averi Beyer ’23

Kallie Hegerle, 2022 NAIA Player of the Year

Ellie Holen, 2022 NAIA Defender of the Year

Anna Holen, 2022 NAIA National Tournament MVP

Kallie Hegerle, 2022 GPAC Player of the Year

Ellie Holen, 2022 GPAC Libero of the Year

Ellie Holen, 2021 NAIA Defensive Player of the National Tournament

Julina Niemeier, 2018 GPAC Libero of the Year

Nicole Warren, 2016 NSAA Defensive Player of the Year

Sarah Becker, 2013 NSAA Player of the Year

Kaitlin Anderson, 2013 NSAA Freshman of the Year

Katie Zent, 2011 DAC Player of the Year

Sarah Becker, 2011 A.I.I. Player of the Year

Shannon Fee, 2010 DAC Player of the Year

Kayla Fee, 2009 DAC Setter of the Year

“As I reflect on this season, I look back on a season full of challenges, tears, glory, and triumphs. A season led by coaches who led by example and teach you the significance of pouring into others and forming intentional relationships. Those purposeful connections we formed played a vital role in winning the national championship. The amount of love and joy we shared when with each other is indescribable. These friendships will last forever.”

– Kadyn Mehring ’23

Honoring Betty Gates

Betty Gates (1913-2000) was a true trailblazer. She served in the Army Air Force from 1942 to 1945 and attained the rank of Major—a remarkable feat for anyone, but especially for a woman at that time. She worked with ultraintelligence as a briefer, with assignments for Generals Hap Arnold, George Kenny, and Dwight Eisenhower.

For Jamestown, Betty left a legacy that will forever impact the community and the University. She held a B.A., an M.S., and received an Honorary Doctor of Science from UJ, where she taught Physical Education for 23 years.

As Kay Jenkins ’58 said, “Betty was persistent but not overbearing, and a true advocate of all students. She, however, put particular emphasis on women’s equal opportunities.”

First and foremost, Betty was a major proponent in the promotion of women’s sports. At a time when women were thought to be incapable of competing, Betty pushed for a bigger and better intramural program, which led to monumental changes in women’s sports.

As MoDean (Trautman) McCullough ’63 put it, Betty’s teaching and intellect was felt by the many women and men fortunate enough to learn from her.

“From my personal experience, Betty Gates was an inspiration, professionally and personally,” said MoDean. “I recall many times speaking with Betty, complaining about how women were treated in women’s sports. She was always positive and would say, ‘things are going to change, your voice’s will be heard, keep working, don’t give up.’ Changes didn’t come as fast as we would’ve liked, but she encouraged us to believe there would be a time when women would be recognized more equally.”

Bryce Nybo ’20/ ’22, Director of Alumni Relations.

We are always looking for ways to better serve our Jimmie Alumni. Stay Connected, Stay Informed, Stay Engaged! Here are a few ways to stay connected:

• Update your Information

• Attend Events

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• Visit Campus

• Nominate worthy Hall of Fame recipients and Young Alumni Medallions

• Reach out to our Development and Alumni Relations Staff