Northern Illinois University Athletics

Holmes (Wilton, Conn./Wilton) developed into one of the region's and nation's premier collegiate middle blockers. Renown for her athletic ability, the 6-1 standout caught the attention of the American Volleyball Coaches Association membership as an upperclassman. Holmes gained first team AVCA All-Midwest honors as one of the top 12 performers in the region and, statistically, she ranked No. 6 nationally in blocking average (1.88) and No. 11 in hitting efficiency (.3988 percentage in 1988). As a junior, Holmes finished No. 13 in national blocking average (1.580). Under first-year head coach Pete Waite, she led Northern Illinois to the North Star Conference regular-season and tournament crowns, a 22-8 overall record, and a 13-match winning streak (1988). En route, she was named the North Star Most Valuable Player, first team All-NSC, NSC Player of the Week four times, plus team MVP and co-captain.

A four-year NIU letterwinner (1985-88), she completed her career with four single-season NIU records and four school career standards. Holmes led NIU in season kills (321 in 1987 and 408 in 1988) and total blocks (90 in 1986, 184 in 1987, and 202 in 1988). She graduated from Wilton High as a senior All-Stater after transferring from Arcadia (Ind.) Hamilton Heights High. A former assistant volleyball coach at Kalamazoo College, Holmes now coaches junior club ball and directs a junior level organization in Kalamazoo, Mich.