Issue link: https://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1059392
23 O n Nov. 24, three University of Iowa volleyball student-athletes — Molly Kelly, Taylor Louis, and Reghan Coyle — competed for a final time in a Hawkeye uniform. ey hoped to leave a lasting impression on teammates, university, and a developing program. Kelly and Coyle are homegrown Hawkeyes, hailing from West Liberty and Council Bluffs, respectively. Louis, a native of Evanston, Illinois, came to Iowa following her sophomore year at Marquette University and immediately bought into the Hawkeye way. "(Iowa head coach) Bond (Shymansky) recruited me at Marquette before he came to Iowa," Louis said. "I knew his philosophies and tendencies already. I also played with some girls at Marquette who were coached by him, so the transition was easy." e senior trio helped rejuvenate the Iowa program. While Louis transferred to Iowa with an impressive reputation that preceded her, Kelly and Coyle turned themselves into starters, scholarship players, and team captains. Together, the trio helped erase decade-long droughts and put Iowa's program in a position it hasn't been in since before the seniors were born. "e biggest change is the belief of who we are as a team and what we can do in the Big Ten," Coyle said. "When we were freshmen, I would not believe you if you told me we would beat Wisconsin." e Hawkeyes did just that Oct. 6 in Carver- Hawkeye Arena, 3-2. e Badgers were ranked sixth in the nation at the time. During the 2018 season, the Hawkeyes defeated Iowa State in Ames for the first time since 1997 and downed Wisconsin for its highest win over a ranked opponent in more than 20 years. It was the first victory over the Badgers since 2009. With graduation on the horizon, each Hawkeye will go their separate ways with Kelly hoping to teach English in Mexico, Coyle continuing pharmacy school, and Louis looking to play professionally overseas. Each will take with them memories and lessons learned at Iowa. "I've learned that there is strength in knowing your vulnerabilities," Louis said. "If you need help going somewhere or doing something, there is nothing wrong with asking for help." While each will take something special with them, Louis, Coyle, and Kelly hope to leave something behind for their teammates. "I hope they remember us as great teammates and then as key players that helped change the program," Kelly said. "I hope we are remembered by being teammates that you can talk to no matter what and having a great attitude on and off the court," Coyle said. "I want this class to be remembered as the class that always had open arms," Louis added. e Hawkeyes finished the 2018 season with a record of 15-16 overall, 7-13 in the Big Ten Conference.