Regina Birkner Abraham, BA, in Psychology, '88
Lettered in 1984, 1985, and 1986 as an outside hitter
In addition to volleyball, she worked at the College Preschool for four years
Currently employed as a Master Teacher at Desert Sun Child Development Center in Chandler, Arizona, she earned her Masters in Child Development and Family Studies from the University of Illinois '90. She also teaches Hebrew
Regina comments: "I joined the volleyball team as a first-year as a way to meet people. It was a great break from the rigors of academic subjects. Playing volleyball was an integral part of getting a well rounded, liberal arts education. I enjoyed traveling with my teammates and seeing a sample of other Midwest college towns"
Regarding a Grinnell Education: "I would absolutely recommend a Grinnell education to anyone looking for an excellent liberal arts education - where you can be a person, not a number"

Sarah Bennett, BA in Art, '77
Played volleyball in 1975 and 1976
In addition to volleyball, Sarah was involved with the launch of "Negative Space", a gallery for the display of student art work
Currently she is a licensed real estate Broker Associate, 2001. She was certified as a "Sensible Housing Opportunity Professional" in 2005, and is in the process of becoming a "Certified Residential Specialist"
Sarah comments: "In the early 1970's, my high school offered limited opportunities for women's sports. The volleyball program at my high school had existed only a few years when I graduated. Playing volleyball at Grinnell gave me the opportunity to experience organized team sports, develop athletic skills, and form friendships with other Grinnell women in an environment outside academics. The experience of being a 'team player' has proven valuable in all my subsequent professional and career endeavors"
Regarding a Grinnell Education: She simply states "Yes"

Ann Chasson, BA, in Economics, '80
Played and lettered in 1976 and 1977 at middle hitter and outside hitter. She also played basketball
Currently the President and CEO of Integrative Bioinformatics, Inc., she used a Rotary Fellowship for graduate study in economics at the Universite de Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France in 1981-1982
Ann comments: "Volleyball at Grinnell was one of the most satisfying experiences I had while a student there. The program was in its early days, and Coach Tom Latimore brought enthusiasm and a positive attitude that carried over to the entire team. I played club volleyball for several years after, and still play nearly every week at a gym near my home in Mountain View, California

Sarah Conner Flinders, BA in English, 2000
Lettered in 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999 as a defensive specialist and also was a four-year letter winner in softball
In addition to playing two sports, she worked in the Alumni/Development office
Currently working for a small bank in Grand Rapids, MI, in charge of special projects for the Client Services Department, she received her MA in English from Oakland University in 2002. She is married to Rob, a Grinnell College alum and they have a son, Tommy
Sarah comments: "The volleyball team was my first introducation to my fellow Grinnellians. There were 14 first-years on that first day (there were only six returning players) and we had a new coach. It was an interesting situation to be in. Ten of us stuck it out through our senior season. Most of the best times I had at Grinnell were with my teammates, both on and off the court. We were, and still are, a great support system. Plus, we always had fun, especially playing together. Even though I was not a starter, I enjoyed being on the team and contributing to the whole team effort"
Regarding a Grinnell Education: "While I had a great experience as a student-athlete at Grinnell, I was always a student first. I wouldn't trade my Grinnell education for anything. Even though my degree is in English Literature, I feel that Grinnell prepared me to do anything because I learned how to think and write and problem solve. I received a wonderful liberal arts education. Some of my favorite classes weren't even in my major. I still haven't decided exactly what I want to do with the rest of my life, but I know that because of my Grinnell education, I have all the tools that I will need to be successful"

Kristen Galles, BA, from Creighton University, suma cum laude in Economics and Spanish, '87, transfered after one year of attendance at Grinnell College
Attended Grinnell College during the 1984-85 school year
Was the starting setter in 1984, also played softball
Currently a Civil Rights attorney with a focus in education, athletics, and employment (Title IX and Title VII), she earned a J.D. from Washington University '90, with honors
Kristen comments: "I have only positive things to say about my experience at Grinnell"

Jessica Halverson, BA in Sociology with a concentration in Gender and Women's Studies, 2002
Lettered in her two year's of participation in 2000 and 200, playing at middle hitter. She also was a four-year letter winner in basketball in 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002
She was involved in the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, served as an official Tour Guide, was on the Student Educational Policy Committee, and was a Research Assistant
Currently a graduate student at Boston University, she is working towards an MBA, with expected completion in '07. Her time between graduating from Grinnell College and entering graduate school was spent working with a Nonprofit Management Consulting organization
Jessica comments: "Participating in athletics at Grinnell was the most valuable experience in my undergraduate education in preparing me for real-world leadership and teamwork"
Regarding a Grinnell Education: "I would absolutely recommend a Grinnell College education"

Melissa Fitzpatrick Haylock, BA in English and Spanish, '89
Played front row and lettered for four seasons, 1985, 1986, 1987, and 1988 and was Co-Captain her senior season
Currently employed as a Speech-Language Pathologist (though taking a year off for a new baby), she earned her MS in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of Arizona in 2000
Melissa comments: "We didn't win a lot of games while I was on the team, but I loved the game and valued the friendships made with the other women on the team"
Regarding a Grinnell Education: She emphatically states, "Absolutely and wholeheartedly"

Jocelyn (Keough) Judge, BA in Spanish, '93
Lettered in 1989, 1990, and 1991
Played middle and weak side hitter and volleyball was her primary non-academic activity
Currently a high school Spanish teacher and volleyball coach, she will earn her Master's degree in Spanish in August of 2006
Jocelyn comments: "No regrets!"
Regarding a Grinnell Education: "Very much so. And play a sport or get involved somehow! I think just about every one of my friends at school I either knew because they played volleyball or were a friend of a volleyball player. That was my social base"

Susan Przybylinski Lucas, BA in Chemistry, 2001
Lettered in 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000
Played middle hitter and volleyball was her main non-academic activity. The team voted her Rookie of the Year in 1997 and MVP in 2000. She was named 2nd team All-Conference in 1997 and first team All-Conference in 1998, 1999, and 2000. She was named Academic All-Conference twice.
Currently in graduate school at UW-Madison, she will receive her Ph.D in chemistry in June, 2006.
Suzie comments: "Volleyball was not only the first place I made my best friends at Grinnell, but it was also a welcome distraction from the rigors of a Grinnell education"
Regarding a Grinnell Education: "I think Grinnell prepared me more than any other place could for the future challenges in life, whether they be work/school-related or social"

Sarah Miller, BA in Psychology, '99
Lettered in 1995, 1996, and 1998 (studied abroad in 1997)
Played right side, outside, and middle, named Most Improved Player for two seasons
In addition to volleyball, she was involved in Mortar Board, Psy Chi, Phi Beta Kappa, and the Saturday Science Program
Currently employed as a Clinical Neuropsychologist, she earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in 2004 from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Sciences (North Chicago, IL)
Sarah comments: "Grinnell College volleyball truly rounded out my liberal arts education. The program allowed me to participate in athletics in an envrionment that truly valued both sport and education. I learned lessons on the court that I continue to carry with me in my daily life, and the experience wouldn't have been the same in a place that emphasized one dimension of life over the other".
Regarding a Grinnell Education: "I wouldn't trade my Grinnell education for anything in the world, and would definitely recommend it to any student seeking a well rounded, liberal education"

Kim Rieken Pennington, BA in General Science, '84
Lettered in 1980, 1981, 1982, and 1983
Played setter for all four seasons, where she was a captain her final two seasons and won the prestegious Grace McIlrath Award as a senior. Also participate in softball and basketball
Currently a hospital pharmacist in Gainsville, FL, she earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Florida
Kim comments: "I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Grinnell, and have grown to appreciate being able to play collegiate level sports, even new ones! It was a great way to learn to be a part of a team, and an easy way to meet new people with similar interests
Regarding a Grinnell Education: "I highly recommend women trying out all of the wonderful opportunities that Grinnell has to offer"

Alexandra Ravitz, BA in Anthropology, '96
Lettered in her junior season, 1994, which was her only season of competition
She played defensive specialist and was voted Most Improved by her teammates. She was also involved in the Student Government Association, serving as Vice-President
Currently a Marketing and Sales Associate for Delaware Investments, she earned her MBA in Finance from Butler University in Indiana
Alexandra comments: "I really enjoyed my athletic experience at Grinnell. I have many fond memories of the wonderful teammates i was lucky enough to meet"
Regarding a Grinnell Education: "I would absolutely recommend a Grinnell education. The improvements to several buildings and changes to the curriculum made since my graduation make Grinnell College even more appealing"

Rania Heather Mohamed Robb, BA in Chemistry, 2003
Participated for four seasons and earned letters in 2000, 2001, and 2002
Played defensive specialist and developed a "wicked" jump serve. She was named Most Inspirational Player in 2000 and Most Improved player in 2001. In addition to volleyball, she was involved in the chemistry SEPC
Currently a Certified Child Life Specialist, she developed and implemented a Child Life program for the intensive care nursery unit. She is also an Independent Consultant for Creative Memories. She attended Drake University and Des Moines Area Community College for the additional educational requirements of Child Life. She then served a Child Life internship at Memorial Hermann Children's Hospital in Houston, TX in the Fall of 2004
Heather comments: "I loved playing volleyball at Grinnell ... the experience helped balance out the rigorous curriculum and provided opportunities for me to meet new people and bond with my teammates on road trips. Honestly, the experience also taught me a lot about myself and helped me to see how hard I could work for something that I loved to do"
Regarding a Grinnell Education: "Yes, I would absolutely recommend a Grinnell College education. The critical thinking skills that I have strengthened druing my Grinnell College experiences have prepared me to overcome many challenges in the post-college life, most of which were not even related to academics"

Erin Schmidt, BA in Biology & Russian, with Honors, 2002
Lettered in 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001
Played right side, outside, middle, and setter. She was a captain her senior year and, outside of volleyball, was involved in the Grinnell radio show, Mortar Board, and as an after school foreign language ESL tutor
Currently a Peace Corps Volunteer in Kenya, she will enter Medical School at the University of Iowa in the fall of 2006
Erin comments: "Getting a chance to play volleyball at the collegiate level was one of the reasons I chose Grinnell College & being on the team was one of my favorite Grinnell experiences
Regarding a Grinnell Education: "Yes"

Sacha Steenhoek, BA in Sociology, with a concentration in Latin American Studies, 2000
Lettered in 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999.
Played middle hitter in volleyball and also played basketball. The volleyball team named her captain in the 1999 season.
Currently attending the University of California Hastings College of Law, with an expected graduation date in May, 2007. Following graduation from Grinnell College, she worked for four years as an Imigration Caseworker at the International Institute in San Francisco, CA.
Sacha comments: "The highlight of my experience at Grinnell was being part of the volleyball team. The friendships I made on the team have been some of the few that have lasted after graduation, and I would change nothing about the experiences I had as a member of the team".
Regarding a Grinnell Education: "Although I have nothing to compare it to, I absolutely loved every part of my experience at Grinnell College. I feel that it prepared me to find a job directly after graduation and succeed in that capacity. It also prepared me for a graduate education in law, where I have outperformed a majority of my classmates. Acadeimcally, socially, and athletically, it was all I could have asked for"

Abbi Swanson, BA in Political Science and Sociology, '76
Lettered in 1972, 1973, 1974, and 1976
Played all positions on the floor and describes herself as an "ace server". In addition to volleyball, she was Chair of the Student Educational Policy Committee in the sociology department, worked for the Scarlet and Black Newspaper, helped produce a couple of yearbooks, especially the senior class of 1976.
Currently working for two newspapers as a journalist and proofreader. Additionally, she is a freelance proofer, writer and has had some poetry judged and published
Abbi comments: "Volleyball helped balance my intense academic experience at Grinnell. It's a great sport and I felt my contributions to the team were substantive and worthwhile"
Regarding a Grinnell Education: "I would highly recommend a Grinnell College education. The 'Grinnell Experience' is truly unique and has served me well in all endeavors since graduation"

Jessica Toft, BA in Psychology, '89
Lettered 1985, 1986, and 1987
Played setter and was a four-year letter winner in basketball. Named MVP in 1987 and was captain in 1986 and 1987. Recognized as the Joyce Buck award winner and received the Senior Service award for earning the most letters in a career. She was also a member of the Grinnell Singers and the Collegium Musicum, as well as the Grinnell Chorus
Currently an Assistant Professor of Social Work at the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN, she earned her Masters is Social work (MSW), University of Iowa, '94. She then lobbied for children's issues in Minneapolis for two years. Following four years of teaching at the University of Minnesota in Child Abuse Prevention Studies in the School of Social Work, she earned her Ph.D. in Social Work at the University of Minnesota, 2005
Jessica comments: "Athletics at Grinnell provided great routine in a rigorous academic setting, and a great way to make life-long friends. I learned my potential for joining and leading groups which I use everyday in my work. I would do it all over again"
Regarding a Grinnell Education: "I would highly recommend a Grinnell education. I have two young daughters and hope that they'll consider it too. I, in fact, am a third generation woman Grinnellian!"