50 Iowa moments since Title IX: Volleyball assistant coach in 1990s becomes hall of famer

Editor’s note: This is third in a series counting down the top 50 moments in Iowa Hawkeyes women’s athletics history in the 50 days leading up to the 50th anniversary of Title IX in June.

A member of Iowa’s volleyball staff added quite a few accolades in 1994.

In one year, Patty Dowdell, then an assistant coach at Iowa, was inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame and NAIA Hall of Fame for her accomplishments before she arrived in Iowa City.

Dowdell spent six years on the U.S. National Team, including four as captain, played professionally and earned USA Volleyball first-team All-America honors eight times, according to the International Volleyball Hall of Fame.

She also helped Texas Lutheran College go to the 1981 AIAW national championship before having to settle for runner-up status, per the NAIA Hall of Fame.

“Patty Dowdell was said to be the first American woman to be recognized as a versatile, all-around player,” a video from the International Volleyball Hall of Fame said. “Not only could she pass and play defense, she dominated at the net.”

Dowdell’s induction into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame in 1994 also was the first for a woman in four years.

The Iowa team she was coaching that year had a good season, too. The Hawkeyes went 24-9 and won their last eight regular-season matches en route to playing an NCAA Tournament match on their home court. Pittsburgh bested Iowa in five sets, though.

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