X UNC ASHEVILLE HALL OF FAME UNC Asheville’s Athletics Hall of Fame was established in 2003 and has had nine classes inducted. A total of 22 athletes and administrators have been enshrined. Of those 22 inductees, four are former volleyball players: Ilona Fekete, Danielle Meyer, Elissa Steffen and Loralee Smith. One is a former coach, Lisa Rhodes (inducted in 2012).
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Ilona Fekete Thimmer (1990-92) Inducted in 2003
Danielle Meyer Harrison (1990-93) Inducted in 2007
Elissa Steffen Mount (1991-94) Inducted in 2008
Ilona Fekete Thimmer established a tradition of great volleyball at UNC Asheville from 1990-92. She led the Bulldogs to three straight Big South Conference regularseason titles and two straight tournament crowns. She also led the nation in blocks as a sophomore in 1990 and was among the nation’s leaders in that category the next two seasons. The Pembroke Pines, Fla., native was the Big South Player of the Year in 1990 and was an all-conference and all-tournament selection for three seasons. She is the school’s all-time leader in total blocks and block solos. Thimmer was inducted into the inaugural class of the Big South Conference Hall of Fame. She and her family reside in Vero Beach, Fla.
Danielle Meyer Harrison was the Bulldogs’ starting setter for four years and is third all-time on the career assist list with 5,187. She helped lead UNC Asheville to three straight Big South Conference regularseason championships and two tournament titles. She was the Co-MVP of the 1992 Big South Conference Tournament. The Bulldogs were 35-6 against Big South opponents during her career. She was an allconference selection twice and was part of the 1991 UNC Asheville team that was selected to the National Invitational Volleyball Championships in Dayton, Ohio. She and her family reside in Illionis.
Elissa Steffen Mount enjoyed a sensational career for the Bulldogs. She is UNC Asheville’s all-time career leader in three different categories. Elissa is the all-time leader in kills (1,775), digs (2,179) and attempts (4,993). She was an all-conference performer as a junior and senior and was a part of two Big South Conference championship teams as a freshman and sophomore. Elissa helped lead UNC Asheville to its first ever post-season tournament as a Division I school when the Bulldogs were selected to participate in the 1991 National Invitational Volleyball Championships. She and her husband Jeremy live in Hawaii with their two children.
Loralee Smith (1994-97) Inducted in 2009
Lisa Rhodes (1989-93) Inducted in 2009
Lorelee Smith was a three-time first team Big South All-Conference selection. She completed her career as UNC Asheville and the Big South’s all-time leader in assists with 5,904 and that record still stands today. Lorelee also holds the school and Big South record for most assists in a season with 1,852 set in 1996. She was the 1997 Big South Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year and twice earned All-Region All-Academic honors.
Lisa Rhodescoached the Bulldog volleyball program from 1989-1993 and led the Asheville program to three Big South Conference regular-season championships, two tournament titles and the school’s first ever postseason trip in the Division I era. The Bulldogs won the 1990, 1991 and 1992 regular-season titles and compiled a 22-1 Big South regular-season record during those years. Counting Big South Tournament play, Rhodes teams were 29-2. In 1991,Asheville was awarded a berth to the National Invitational Volleyball Tournament in Dayton, Ohio. The Bulldogs were the first volleyball program in Big South history to go to a post-season tournament. In 1992, Asheville finished with a 32-6 record and became the first team in league history to go unbeaten in the regular season and in the league tournament.