Lindsey Rumph, allied health sophomore, won the KIAC Player of the Week award for September 7 through 13 for her play on the IUS volleyball team.
Rumph, who plays defensive specialist and libero, earned a team high 20 digs against St Xavier. Rumph also had 12 kills and 15 digs against Indiana University East.
This is the first time Rumph has received the award this year.
“I was really excited when I heard about the honor,” Rumph said.
Born and raised in Brownstown, Ind., Rumph has always enjoyed being active in athletics.
“I’ve always played sports, it is what I love to do,” Rumph said.
She began playing volleyball in the fourth grade and has played the sport along with a few others.
In high school, the five-foot-five-inch athlete played basketball and ran track but ultimately was dedicated to her position on the volleyball team at Brownstown Central High School.
When it came to choosing a college, Rumph chose to study at IU Southeast because of the location and volleyball program.
“I knew it was a good program and I always wanted to stay in the Indiana area,” Rumph said.
Rumph’s major in allied health is allowing her to fulfill her goal of helping people and working in medical assisting.
“It has always kept my interest to help others and it’s what I want to do in the future,” she said.
When not on the court, she enjoys shopping and spending time with her friends. She said she sees the benefits in staying on a team even during her downtime.
“I’ve made a lot of friends and have been more social because of sports, working on a team and learning to support others,” Rumph said.
In all of her success in sports and college, Rumph credits her parents for her success on and off the court.
“They always tell me never to give up on something,” she said. “They’re always supportive.”
This season of volleyball for IU Southeast has seen a change in coaches with head coach Lesley Drury-Prather and an assistant coach, which Rumph said has helped the game.
Rumph said the strength of the team has improved greatly with the changes in the program.
“We’re doing very well this season, a lot better than last,” she said. “The coaches have brought a lot to the court.”
Drury-Prather said Rumph’s game was excellent during the Saint Xavier game as well as the Indiana University East game but she has always brought a lot to the team.
“She is naturally not a front but she stepped it up and always does what she can,” Drury-Prather said.
Drury-Prather also said Rumph has always brought strong athleticism to the table with the IUS volleyball team.
The Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletics Conference is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Operating out of Louisville, the athletic conference consists of 10 college campuses including Indiana University East.
Once only a Kentucky conference, the KIAC has opened up to Indiana as well as Ohio, Missouri, and West Virginia.
By JESSICA MEYER
Staff Writer
jessmeye@ius.edu