Hall of Fame Inductee - 1999 Volleyball Team

When the season and the celebrations were through, former Quincy High School volleyball coach Mike Crist realized his 1999 team had not only been the most successful team in school history. It had been one of the best to be around.

“This group has been my favorite group more because of what types of kids they are than because of their talent level,” Crist said at the time.

Their talent was pretty good, too.

The 1999 team became the first team in program history to reach the state tournament, beating Mundelein for third place and one of only two state trophies the volleyball program has won. It was truly a team effort as three players finished the year with 200 or more kills apiece and six players had 100 or more blocks apiece.

The Blue Devils finished 37-6, setting the school record for most victories in a season

Team members are: Mindy Morrison, Tristan McColez, Kara Buckner, Jenna Buckner, Julia Weisenborn, Kelly Disseler, Carrie Ippensen, Erin Mason, Katie McNett, Katie Carpenter, Heidi Hillebrenner, Richelle Lubben, Sarah Lansing, Abby Uppinghouse and Courtney VonderHaar. The coaches are Mike Crist and Mike Llewellyn.

In acceptance ...

It is a great honor to represent this group of young ladies, the Quincy Senior High volleyball team of 1999, as they are being inducted into the QHS Hall of Fame. This team went 37-6 on their way to finishing 3rd in the IHSA State Finals. Along the way they placed 2nd in the Quincy Early Bird and the St. Francis Borgia tournaments and were champions at the Pekin and Quincy Invitational Tourneys. They also won the Western Big Six Conference. The strength of this team was its depth. Several of the non-starters on this team could have starred on many other teams that year. They pushed the starters every day at practice and made us better. 

This group set a standard that future volleyball teams at QHS strive to achieve. Besides being great athletes, they are outstanding young ladies and great role models for future players. I have stayed close to several of these girls, and continue to be proud of their accomplishments. 

— Coach Mike Crist