PHOTOS: Hilgenberg takes family intensity to Iowa volleyball court

Mara Hilgenberg brings a familiar name to the University of Iowa. She also brings a familiar intensity, albeit to a different arena.

Hilgenberg, a junior setter on the Iowa volleyball team, joins an Iowa sports lineage that dates to the 1950s. Six Hilgenbergs have played football for Iowa, including Mara's father, Jay.

Mara, of Lake Forest, Ill., got a late start at Iowa, however. She originally picked Indiana over Iowa and played her freshman season for the Hoosiers. One year later, she changed her mind.

“Indiana wasn't the right fit, so I thought Iowa would be a great opportunity with all of my rich family history,” Mara said. “I talked it over with my dad, so I went to Iowa. He loves it. He played football here. He's got the school spirit and everything.”

Jay Hilgenberg, an Iowa City native, lettered at Iowa from 1977 through 1980. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Chicago Bears in 1981 and became the Bears' full-time starter at center in 1985. He was a seven-time Pro Bowler and anchored the Bears' offensive line during the 18-1 Super Bowl season.

Mara just nods when people ask about her dad. In middle school, she was asked by boys to play football at recess. She immediately became impressive when high school friends met her dad.

“They thought I was pretty cool,” she said. “I was a baby when my dad played, so I don't remember much.”

She still hears the stories.

“They were the toughest offensive line ever,” she said. “My dad just pumps me up and gets me really excited, and I bring it out here on the court.”

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Jay's younger brother, Joel, starred at Iowa and played nine seasons in the NFL. Mara's great-uncle, Wally, was a standout at Iowa and played in four Super Bowls with Minnesota.

“I never felt pressured from my family at all,” she said. “They just wanted me to be the best I could be. That's what I've tried to do.”

Mara brings her own form of intensity to volleyball. She played in 19 matches last year and finished second on the team with 152 assists. She's now battling for the first-team setter position.

“She's got a little bit of her dad in her,” Iowa Coach Sharon Dingman said. “A little feistiness, a little sass. She's very competitive. Mara was voted as one of our co-captains so that indicates that our team certainly respects what she brings to the court.

“I love her personality. She loves to get after it. Some of Jay shines through, that ‘hit ‘em in the mouth' kind of attitude.”

Mara's grandparents live in Iowa City, and she lived with them last year. She knows the family name carries some weight at Iowa, and she wants to live up to it.

“They want me, of course, to follow the family tradition here,” she said. “It's a competitive family, like we all want to win.”