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Lady Cougars Sign Smithville All-State Volleyball Player
written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio - The Mount Vernon Nazarene University women's volleyball team has added a key recruit to its roster for the 2003 season with the addition of Katie Ickes.

Ickes, a 5-foot-10 middle hitter from Wooster, Ohio, has signed a letter of intent to further her education and continue her volleyball career at MVNU. As a senior at Smithville High School, she smashed 302 kills to go with 235 digs, 26 blocks, and 21 aces as she led the team to a 23-3 record and conference and district titles. For her efforts, Ickes was selected as the Wayne County Athletic League Most Valuable Player and the District Player of the Year. She was also named to the All-Ohio Second Team and was a member of both the District All-Star Team and the Division III State All-Star Team.

"We are thrilled about Katie joining our team," said MVNU head coach Paul Swanson, who has led the Lady Cougars to a 652-228 record (.741 winning percentage) in his 19 seasons at the helm. "She is a gifted, intelligent, all-around player, who has had an outstanding career at Smithville and has a great future ahead of her."

"Katie was an instant hit with our team when she came for a visit," Swanson added. "They loved her personality and her priorities. We feel privileged to have such a high quality person and player commit to our volleyball program."

In addition to playing volleyball, Ickes is a four-year letterwinner in track. She is also a member of National Honor Society and received the Orrville Chamber of Commerce Award for the Outstanding Student in Foreign Language and Social Studies. In addition, she was selected as Smithville's 2003 Homecoming Queen.

"There are several reasons why I chose MVNU," said Ickes of her college choice. "I really enjoyed the campus and the Christian aspect of the school. I felt really comfortable with the coach and the team, and I felt that MVNU is where God is calling me to be."

The Lady Cougars finished the 2002 season with a 36-13 overall record. The team advanced to the NAIA Region IX Tournament for the ninth straight year and lost in the semifinals to Walsh University, the eventual region champion. MVNU also finished second at the National Christian College Athletic Association National Tournament - the team's highest ever finish at the event.