Carthage College Athletics

Before volleyball coach Leanne Ulmer took over the program in 2001, Beth (Nienhuis) Groshans was arguably Carthage’s greatest volleyball player. A native of Freeport, Ill., she lettered four times (1988-91) and reaped a number of awards her junior and senior seasons. Groshans was named American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Midwest Regional in 1991 and the CCIW’s “Most Outstanding Player” in 1990 with a .428 attack percentage. 

She was a four-time All-CCIW player, first team in 1990 and 1991 and second team in 1988 and 1989. Groshans led the 1990 Carthage team to a 34-11 record, its first CCIW championship and its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division III Women’s Volleyball Championship. Groshans remains the Lady Reds’ career leader in both kills and blocks. Groshans went on to become the coordinator or girls athletics in Freeport, Ill., where she also coaches volleyball.