Bys among Hall inductees

CEDAR RAPIDS - Angela Bys compiled one of the most outstanding single-match performances in state volleyball tournament history, pounding 46 kills for Marion in a losing effort in 2005.

She returns to the U.S. Cellular Center on Friday as one of three inductees in the IGHSAU Volleyball Hall of Fame.

Bys will be joined by Kristin Belzung of Ankeny and Tiffany Nilges of Tripoli. She is Marion's first honoree.

A 2007 graduate of Marion, Bys was a three-time all-state selection and finished with 2,135 career kills, which was a state best at the time.

She went on to Drake University, where she was a four-year starter and Drake's career kill leader by the time she was a junior. She finished her collegiate career with 1,626 kills and still owns most of Drake's hitting records. She is now an assistant coach at Ankeny.

Belzung was a 2002 elite all-stater at Ankeny, leading the Hawkettes to a runner-up finish. She was a two-time first-team all-conference player at UNI.

Nilges was the latest superstar in the Tripoli dynasty, earning 1A first-team all-state honors four times.

Ankeny Coach Dave Whims, who has coached 35 years and is the winningest coach in state history with 982 victories, will be honors with the IGHSAU Golden Plaque of Distinction. Whims has guided 21 teams to the state tournament at Bedford, North Kossuth and Ankeny. His Ankeny teams won state titles in 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2009.

The honors will take place between the 4A and 3A championship matches.

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