Darcy Cudaback and the Stellar 1989 Cowgirls Volleyball Team

           As you're browsing the women's section of the Brown 'N' Gold Outlet in Laramie, you might notice that we have a few pictures of Cowgirl Volleyball games of years past.  Athletes crouched down ready to jump up and hit the ball and players suspended in the air as they block the opponent's serve.  One particular photo shows former Wyoming Cowgirl #12, Darcy Cudaback, as she leaps to spike the ball, body outstretched, hand in the air.  You know it's going to be a stellar hit.

            Cudaback came from the rural farming community of Exeter, Nebraska to the University of Wyoming in 1986.  She was a force of nature on the court making the 1988 High Country Athletic Conference All-American team and earning a spot on the first-team All-HCAC.   In addition, Cudaback was named the 1988 HCAC Player of the Year.  She holds UW Cowgirl Volleyball records for most kills in a season at 595, second for most games in a career at 446, and second for most career kills at 1, 533.  Her records were not forgotten, and in 1999 Darcy Cudaback White was inducted into the University of Wyoming Athletics Hall of Fame.  In 2003, Cudaback was also inducted into the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame for her impressive high school records of 1986 Athlete of the Year, all-class all-state in volleyball and basketball, and for her stellar career while she was at UW.

            Cudaback helped lead the 1989 Cowgirl Volleyball team to victory.  That year the Cowgirls enjoyed their best season every with a record of 24-7, and they won the HCAC Championship title with a conference record of 11-1.  They played their way into the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament, Wyoming's second time ever of post-season play.  That year the team also boasted five All-HCAC players: Darcy Cudaback, Ginger Bruere, Chris Lull, Judy Peck, and Dailene Glenn.  Chris Lull was also named 1989 HCAC Player of the Year.  Lull, Cudaback, and Peck were all selected for the American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Region team, and Cudaback went on to earn AVCA All-American honors - the only Wyoming player to ever do so.  Currently several of the 1989 Cowgirl Volleyball team still hold their rank in the Wyoming Top 10 record book.  Earlier mentioned Cudaback's most kills in a season (595) and second place ranking of career kills (1, 533), Peck is also among the Top 10 in kills and blocks, and Chris Lull still holds the fifth place ranking in career assists (2, 609).  Additionally, Head Coach Mike English still holds the best career coaching record of 124-86 during his seven years at UW.  This team packed so much punch that they earned their way into the UW Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005. 

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