Hall of Fame
Darci Hess was one of the best volleyball players to ever step onto the Crusader’s court. During her four year stint at PLNU, Darci accumulated numerous awards ranging from Point Loma Sports Associates Outstanding Female Athlete to NAIA First Team All-American.
In her junior year, Darci helped lead the team to a second place finish at the NAIA National Tournament. At that time the second place finish was the highest finish by any team in PC/PLNU athletic history. The women’s softball and men’s track team has since tied that mark. The NAIA named Darci the 1996 All-Tournament Team MVP for her efforts. Outside the tournament, Darci was named to the All-GSAC team, the NAIA All-District 3 team, the All-NAIA Far West region team and received honorable mention All-American award for the season. The next year, Darci again duplicated those awards except the Tournament MVP and this time stepping up her All-American status to First Team All-American.
Darci’s marks can still be found throughout the record book more than a decade after she competed. She dominated both the front and back rows during her four year tenure at PLNU. With 1,945 kills Darci is the all-time career kills leader. Darci’s 625 kills in 1996 is third in all-time season kills. She averaged 5.12 kills per game in 1996 and 4.80 kills per game in 1997 for second and eighth, respectively, in the record books.
Darci amassed 1,536 digs throughout her record as a Crusader, a record that stood until this year. Her numbers are also throughout the season and match all-time dig leaders. Also noteworthy are Darci’s serving abilities. Her 153 aces is third for career aces.
Darci taught elementary school in a low income area of San Diego for five years before deciding to be a full time wife to Bobby and mom to their two daughters Brianna 3 and Kierstin almost 1, putting volleyball on hold at least for the time being.
Darci, it is an honor to welcome you into the Pasadena/Point Loma Nazarene University Athletic Hall of Fame as volleyball athlete. Congratulations.
