MOUNT PLEASANT – Iowa Wesleyan College senior volleyball libero Katie Leidl (Esterhazy, Saskatchewan) recently broke the school’s all-time career record for digs in a tournament over Labor Day weekend in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Leidl recorded her 1,408th career dig against Kansas Wesleyan University on Sept. 4, breaking the all-time record of 1,407 digs held by Jamie Strawhacker, who played for the Tigers from 1998-2001. She finished the match with 20 digs and led IWC to a three-set sweep of the Coyotes in both teams’ opening games in the University of Sioux Falls Empire Bowl Classic.
A four-year starter, Leidl played as an outside hitter her first three years before moving to the libero position this year. She is averaging 5.67 digs per game this year to lead the Midwest Collegiate Conference and is just behind the pace for the school’s single season record of 5.73 dpg set by Dana Gregory in 2007. One of two seniors on this year’s team, she also has led the Tigers to a 7-3 record to start the season, including a 2-0 mark in MCC play, the team’s best start in conference in five years.
Leidl currently has 1,527 digs for her career and could put the record far out of reach by the end of the season. The Tigers have 18 regular season matches remaining plus the Midwest Collegiate Conference Tournament.
IWC finally will play its first home match of the season on Wednesday when Ashford University visits for an important MCC match. Game time at Ruble Arena will be 7 p.m.
For more information regarding the IWC volleyball program or any of the Tiger athletic teams, contact sports information director Adam Glatczak (319-385-6306 phone; 319-385-6384 FAX; aglatczak@iwc.edu e-mail) or log on to IWC's athletics web site at www.iwc.edu/athletics.
