IGHSAU Hall of Fame now includes Mount Vernon
November 15, 2006 · Crystal Eskelsen

"In September I got a call at work from a member of the selection committee," Jordan said. "To get my number he called my parents first. He didn't tell them any details. As soon as I finished talking to him, I called my parents. They were ecstatic."

Jordan was a member of the Mount Vernon volleyball team from 1984-1987, while the Mustangs won the state title once, finished second the following year and were knocked out in the regional finals the following year.

During those three seasons, the Mustangs put together an overall record of 116-8-8, which is the best three-year record that Mount Vernon has ever had.

As a sophomore, Jordan was selected to the all-tournament team, and was on the seventh team all-state.

"My fondest memory is winning the state championship my sophomore year," Jordan said. "After the match, I had such a natural high and it was wonderful to celebrate with my teammates, family and all the Mount Vernon supporters. That's the greatest feeling I've ever had in any of my athletic experiences."

As a junior, Jordan was once again selected to the all-tournament team and was named first team all-state (the Elite team).

As a senior, Jordan was the Class 1A player of the year and again she was on the Elite team.

"I was first exposed to volleyball in middle school," Jordan said. "Basketball was actually my favorite sport through middle school. Once I got into high school and began playing more seriously, my love of volleyball developed."

Jordan played for longtime Mount Vernon coach Shirley Ryan and says she could not have done it without Ryan.

"I remember Shirley's great knowledge of the game and her hard work," Jordan said. "She attended coaching workshops and stayed up late creating practice and game plans. She always worked just as hard as we did, so it was easy to be motivated. She cared deeply about all of us as people, not just players."

Jordan's volleyball career didn't end at Mount Vernon. She went on to play NCAA Div. 1 volleyball at the University of Indiana.

"I wanted to play volleyball at a Big Ten school and Iowa and Indiana were the two schools that offered me scholarships," Jordan said. "When I visited Indiana I really liked the coach, players and school, so it was an easy choice."

Jordan earned several honors while playing at Indiana, including the Big Ten Medal of Honor, which annually goes to the outstanding female scholar athlete at Indiana.

She continues to be involved with volleyball as much as time will allow. She is a volunteer assistant at Lawrence University and spends one or two nights a week working with the volleyball team there.

"I also regularly play indoor doubles with three of the Lawrence players," Jordan said.

This Hall of Fame award was not only for Jordan, but for her family, the coaches, the fans, the entire Mount Vernon community.

"I really don't see this as an individual award," Jordan said. "I share it with Shirley Ryan and my parents. I absolutely would not be in the Hall without their support. Furthermore, I share it with all my teammates, coaches, family and the whole Mount Vernon community. I was blessed to grow up in such a supportive community."