A captain on the first MCHS girls volleyball team to advance to the state finals, Cyndi Kiper earned many awards during her four years as a starter.

“Our team was super close and everyone had the same goal, so I think being a captain was just a special honor,” Kiper said. “I was lucky to be in that role.”

That team finished in the Elite Eight in 1999 after a historic run. 

For her career as an athlete, Kiper is being inducted in the MCHS Athletic Hall of Fame this year. Kiper, a member of the Class of 2000, was a volleyball standout at Minooka.

Kiper set the school record for assists while at Minooka. Her work ethic helped get her to that point.

“Practices are the hard days where you push yourself to learn new skills, make the mistakes to fix, put in the work, and get ready for game day,” Kiper said. 

As a setter, Kiper earned all-state honors her senior year at Minooka. She was a starter on varsity all four years. 

She also earned all-conference and all-area awards three times at Minooka.

“Playing sports teaches you so many aspects of hard work, selflessness, self-discipline, and learning to work with a variety of people,” Kiper said. 

After her time at MCHS, Kiper played for Valparaiso University where she was named setter of the year and also finished second all-time in assists for Valpo.

“Playing in college was always a dream of mine so getting to see that through was amazing,” Kiper said. 

Not only is Kiper inducted in the MCHS Athletic Hall of Fame, but also she is inducted into Valparaiso’s Hall of Fame.

Her senior year at Valpo, she led the team to the MCC championship and their first NCAA tournament appearance. 

“It definitely came with its ups and downs,” Kiper said. “But I was super lucky that I was able to play all four years while at Valparaiso, set some records, and make lifelong friends.”

Kiper will be recognized before the varsity football game on Sept. 27.  Other Hall of Fame inductees who will be recognized then include Tom Clennon (athlete), Jenna Hall (athlete), Russ Weil (athlete), Wayne Greenbeck (coach), Ron Lehman (special merit), and the 1962 baseball team.