Kara (Galer) Kimm (2004) - Hall of Fame

Kara (Galer) Kimm

Induction:
2004
Class:
1996

Kara Galer Kimm, was a four-year starting setter for the Panther volleyball team from 1992-95, playing beside sister Kate three years. She helped lead the Panthers to a 98-19 overall record, two Missouri Valley Conference titles, an NIT appearance, and two NCAA berths.

Like her sister, Kimm ranked high in numerous school records. At the time of her induction she held the single season and junior class mark for hitting percentage (.393, 1994). Her name appeared in numerous top 10 categories, including career hitting percentage (.302, 6th), career digs per game (2.50, 7th), career assists (10.94, 3rd), single-match hitting percentage for three games (.818, T2nd), and hitting percentage for four games (.692, 2nd). She led the Panthers four consecutive years in assists. She tallied six triple-doubles during her career with a personal-best 10 kills, 12 digs and 54 assists against Drake in 1995.

Kimm also earned many accolades for her athletic prowess. In 1993, she was named to the National Invitational Volleyball Championships All-Tournament Team, was an American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Mideast Region second team selection in 1994, and was named to the NCAA All-District 5 team in 1995. She was a four-time MVC All-Tournament Team selection and was named first team all-conference all four years. She was selected twice the conference tournament's Most Valuable Player and was the league's Player of the Year in 1994 and 1995.

She also earned various academic honors, including the George Miner Outstanding Freshman of the Year Scholarship (1992), was an Honor Graduate Certificate recipient from the UNI College of Business in 1995 and 1996, was a three-time first team all-academic choice in the MVC (1993-95), received the Director of Athletics Award (1992-95), and was named to the Dean's List from 1993-95.

Kimm played professionally upon the completion of her collegiate career for the North County Waves in 1996 (professional grass) and indoors for the Iowa Blizzard in 1997. She in fact built the Iowa Blizzard from scratch, forming the roster and coaching staff, while managing the team's advertising and promotion. She was a member of the USA Women's National Volleyball Team from 1997-98, and played for the Zeiler Koniz team of the Switzerland National A League from 1998-99. She was voted the Best Setter and an All-Pro Team member in 1997, and was a bronze medalist and a gold medalist in the Switzerland Cup Tournament in 1999.

She was voted into the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Hall of Fame in 2001. Kimm received her bachelor's degree in marketing in 1996.