The Drury volleyball teams of the late 1980’s enjoyed a run of success that stands alone in the 40-year history of program. Two players from that era, Paula Wohnhas-Wiedemann (Class of 1995) and Stephanie Bates (Class of 1997), both powerful hitters who earned All-America honors for their accomplishments, have previously been inducted into the Drury Sports Hall of Fame. Karen Smith, the player who was the “quarterback” of the Panther teams of 1987, 1988 and 1989, joins her two teammates in being similarly honored. Today Karen becomes only the fifth volleyball player to be inducted into the Drury Sports Hall of Fame. She joins Carolyn Phillips-Johnson (Class of 2008); Sandy Rippee (Class of 1999); and the aforementioned Wohnhas-Wiedemann and Bates.
Karen was the setter for the Drury volleyball teams of 1987, 1988 and 1989 and it was her play that set the stage for a three-year record of 115-35. A transfer from the University of Missouri, this native of Eminence, Missouri came to Drury in the fall of 1987 and immediately the Panther volleyball team became a force in NAIA District 16...and the nation. In her first season Karen, along with her talented teammates, put together the best record in Drury volleyball history. When the 1987 season came to an end, the Panthers had an overall record of 47-9. They had played their way to the District 16 championship match, only to lost to the #2-ranked team in the nation, Missouri Western State, on the Griffons’ home floor. Drury finished the year ranked #13 in the nation. For the first time in program history a new power in the NAIA had arrived: Drury College.
The next year, in 1988, the Panthers claimed the NAIA District 16 title and qualified for the NAIA National Championships. In the District 16 tournament Drury defeated Rockurst in the semifinals and the host school, Missouri Western, in the finals. The Panthers lost in the opening round of the national tournament to Ouachita Baptist University, giving them a final record of 43-11. But the stat line for that game was similar to to every match that year: Wohnhas-17 kills; Bates-10 kills; Smith-37 assists and 24 digs. The Panthers were ranked 12th in the final NAIA national rankings.
In 1989 the Panthers, a relatively young team, were led by Karen Smith, Stephanie Bates and an up-and-coming star, Julie Wells. They finished the year with a very respectable 25-15 record and a third place finish in the NAIA District 16. Karen, who was a NAIA District 16 second team pick in 1987 and a first team selection in 1988, was again named to the NAIA District 16 first team in 1989. In a release provided at the time of that announcement it was stated that Karen “was the heart and soul of this year’s Panther team.” Fact is, she was the heart and soul of the Panther teams for three years. Karen helped lead the Panthers to a national tournament appearance (1988); its first NAIA District 16 title (1988); a three-year run of being nationally-ranked and the best two-year record in history: 90-20, good for an .818 winning percentage. At the time of her graduation she was second on the all-time assist list (2,322) even though she played only three years.
Karen graduated from Drury on May 12, 1991 after earning a degree in Physical Education/Secondary Education. She was a teacher and coach for several years at the high school level in the state of Missouri. She currently resides in Eminence, Missouri where she works for the Missouri Department of Mental Health/Division of Developmental Disabilities as a support coordinator. She is the proud mother of three children: Skylar (20); Kyle (19); and, Kyndall (14).
While the years have passed, the play of Karen Smith is well-remembered in the minds of many, in particular her coach, Barbara Cowherd, and teammates, notably Stephanie Bates who are here today along with many other family members and friends. The contributions she made to the Drury volleyball program will never be forgotten as today, Karen Smith becomes only the fifth player in Drury volleyball history to be enshrined in the Drury Sports Hall of Fame, as a member of the Class of 2013.
