University of Minnesota Crookston Athletics

Joan (Ebnet) Bellesbach competed on the Golden Eagles volleyball team and graduated from U of M Crookston with a bachelor’s degree in business management. She was a 2003, 2004, and 2005 All-NSIC First Team pick and is the most decorated volleyball player during the NCAA Division II era. Bellesbach was all over the record books in her Golden Eagle career, first all-time for digs per set, third all-time for digs, and fourth all-time for kills, plus she was named to the 2004 AVCA All-Region Team. Bellesbach was a major part of a 14-win team under Head Coach Dave Simon in 2004, the second-winningest NCAA Division II season the program has produced. She was the first player to reach 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs in U of M Crookston history, and was awarded various All-Tournament and player of the week recognitions during her career. She also played for the women’s basketball team as a senior during the 2005-06 season and was named team defensive MVP.

She is married to Dillon Bellesbach and they live in Chippewa Falls, Wis., where she is currently a salesforce consultant for higher education at Redpath Consulting Group. Bellesbach was previously on the writing team for the Hope Village Grant.

During the awards ceremony, Bellesbach said volleyball has given her so much more than athletic accolades - it has taught her resilience, teamwork, and the power of perseverance.