If there was ever a Saluki volleyball player who has defined success both athletically and academically it is Heather Herdes.

Herdes, a 5-9 senior outside hitter from Shelbyville has been a four-year starter for the Saluki spikers since joining the team in 1992.

Since then, Herdes has managed to become one of the Salukis’ all-time greats in volleyball, ranking in SIUC’s career top 10 in eight statistical categories.

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It’s really nice to look back and say I did this and that and show that I contributed, Herdes said. It’s a really nice feeling to know that I’ve been a part of the team and have been able to do as well as I have.

Herdes is only the seventh volleyball player in SIUC history to garner more than 1,000 kills. She ranks No. 4 in three seperate categories:kills with 1,158, spike attempts with 3,030 and games played with 411. Herdes also ranks No. 2 all-time for the Salukis in service aces with 177.

This season, Herdes led the Missouri Valley Conference in ace average at 0.58 per game and had a total of 64. She was ranked as high as No. 4 in the nation among service ace leaders.

However, a modest Herdes said luck has been an essential element in terms of establishing her serving game.

Serving is a big part of my game and it’s very important to me, but sometimes I just feel like I get lucky, Herdes said. It seems weird to me that I would be consistent enough to rank nationally.

Consistency is what earned Herdes conference honors following the Salukis’ performance in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Nov 17-18.

Herdes had nine kills and 11 digs in SIUC’s win against Southwest Missouri State, along with 13 kills against eventual tournament champion Northern Iowa the following day.

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For her efforts, Herdes was one of seven players named to the MVC All-Tournament team and said making an appearence in the MVC tournament was the biggest moment of her career at SIUC.

It was a goal we had all four years, Herdes said. It was nice to finally get there and prove that we were worthy of being there. It was definitely the highlight of my career.

Herdes said a variety of coaches throughout her life have inspired her to strive for excellence.

I’ve been lucky to have some really good coaches, Herdes said. Coming out of high school I had a good coach, then I had a really good club coach.

When I came to Southern, it was coach Locke who put it all together. She is very demanding and gives me a lot to strive toward. She has had a major influence on me.

Off the court, Herdes has excelled academically with the same consistency as her serving.

Maintaining a 3.54 grade point average, the speech communications major was one of six players named to the GTE Academic All-District 5 Volleyball Team Nov. 20. Herdes is now being considered for the GTE Academic All-American team, and if nominated, will become SIUC’s fifth GTE Academic All-American in volleyball since 1983.

Herdes attributes her academic achievements to her career as an athlete, hard work and dedication. However, her competitive spirit and strive for academic excellence will not let her stop at a 3.54 g.p.a.

I’m happy with a 3.5, but I would like it to be higher, she said. It is very important for me to get good grades. I’m a perfectionist and I’m dissappointed when I get a B I’d rather get all A’s.

Volleyball has made me more responsible and helped me manage my time better.

Herdes said many students do not realize how hard it is to be an athlete and do well as a student at the same time.

There are a lot of negative connotations about athletes, Herdes said. I hope people know that whatever sport you are in is like a full time job, it’s hard work. Athletes work as hard as any other student on campus.

Now that the final chapter in her career as a Saluki spiker has come to a close, Herdes said she will concentrate more on her studies and she is looking forward to her job as a student teacher at Carbondale Community High School next spring.

She said she is unsure at this point if volleyball is completely over for her.

I’m sad that I’m never going to play again on an organized level like college, she said. I might be assistant coach at Carbondale High School next year so I will still be involved with volleyball and if I go to grad school I would like to be a grad assistant with a volleyball program.

As of right now, Herdes said she simply hopes to be remembered by Saluki fans as an athlete who gave it her all in order to succeed.

I want to be remembered as someone who tried hard both on and off the court, Herdes said. Someone who worked hard and did her job.