Hall of Fame
Diane Ellefritz, 2005 - Western Illinois’ all-time blocks leader, Diane Ellefritz is one of only two players to lead the Westerwinds volleyball team in blocking for four consecutive seasons. A two-sport athlete and Academic All-America honoree, Ellefritz helped the Westerwinds to the most successful four-year period in school history.
Ellefritz, who also played center on the basketball team for two seasons, became the first Western Illinois student-athlete to be named to the Academic All-America First Team in back-to-back seasons. She earned the Student Athlete Academic Achievement Award, the WIU President’s Academic Excellence Award and was nominated for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award.
On the volleyball court, Ellefritz set school records for career solo blocks, career block assists and single-match solo blocks, and became the first middle hitter to collect 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs. The Westerwinds amassed a 74-44 record during her career, including the highest two conference finishes and the only back-to-back 20-win seasons in school history.
The 1990 psychology graduate has been a protective services social worker for Guildford County, North Carolina, since 1996.
