CUBA CITY, PARK FALLS, & MANITOWOC LINCOLN

Mary Beth Dixon will log her 35th season as a volleyball coach and 21st at the helm of perennial power Manitowoc Lincoln High School this fall. Following 12 years at Cuba City and a two-year stint at Park Falls, her Cubans, Cardinals, and Ships have combined to win a whopping 21 conference titles, 16 Regional championships, eight Sectional championships, three WIAA State runner-up finishes, and State Championship trophies in 1990 and 1992. In total, she has compiled a coaching record of 890-273 across the three programs.

Victories aside, Mary Beth is most proud of all the family-like connections and unique memories that each team made with one another as well as with the community. For her, it is the reflections from past players about their sense of belonging, which goes beyond simply playing volleyball.

Mary Beth has also enjoyed seeing many of her former players continue their career in the sport, whether it be as a player, coach, or official. Within her own supportive family, both daughters she feels blessed to have coached also share her passion for the game and continue to give back to the sport. Coaching has been an avenue that has allowed Mary Beth to meet some of the most caring coaches and officials as well as awesome athletes at all levels.

The Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association is honored to induct Mary Beth Dixon as a member of the WVCA Hall of Fame Class of 2022.

CATHOLIC CENTRAL

Patti Halbach has been nothing short of synonymous with volleyball in southeastern Wisconsin since 1981. Earning first coaching stint at St. Mary’s Catholic Central High School, she compiled a career record of 218-104 while leading the Hilltoppers to eight WISAA Regional championships and eight WISAA State Tournament appearances–including a WISAA State title in 1984.

Shifting into an assistant role across town at Burlington High School followed by a handful of years coaching on the juniors club circuit, Patti has remained connected to the sport as an official for more than 20 years.

While winning a State title is something she looks back on fondly, she is most proud of the sheer number of lives she is connected to because of volleyball. Patti is thankful to have coached her two daughters, raising them in the gym and teaching them the game–skills they took to the next level as both players and coaches themselves.

On the 50th Anniversary of Title IX, Patti is a true success story of an incredible athlete-turned-coach fully committed to progressing our sport. First introduced to volleyball as a high school junior, she has certainly witnessed many changes throughout the years. Yet one thing has remained constant–her influence and passion for the game have been passed on to the next generation of athletes and coaches.

The Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association is honored to induct Patti Halbach as a member of the WVCA Hall of Fame Class of 2022.

WAUSAU WEST

Cathy Newton, longtime head volleyball coach at Wausau West High School, announced her retirement after an incredible 37-year run. Since taking the helm in 1985, her Warriors have claimed three conference championships, 13 Regional championships, seven Sectional championships, and three WIAA State Tournament semifinal appearances. Over that span, West amassed an overall program record of 732-552-106.

Cathy is so thankful for all of those who contributed to her coaching career–for her family’s countless volunteer hours in and out of the gym, for her coaching staff who has been some of the most consistent and rewarding individuals in her life, for supportive school administrators and opposing coaches within the Wisconsin Valley Conference, and for the many volleyball families that committed time and effort on behalf of the program.

As Cathy’s career continued she has enjoyed seeing former players give back to the game as officials and coaches–many of whom earned State berths and invitations of their own. Those relationships built and carried over time are what makes this sport–and the connection to the Wausau community–pretty special.

Another of Cathy's proudest accomplishments is the development and continued support of the Wausau community’s Volley for the Cure event. In collaboration with crosstown rival Wausau East, the event has donated over $100,000 to local families affected by breast cancer.

The Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association is honored to induct Cathy Newton as a member of the WVCA Hall of Fame Class of 2022.

PIUS XI & UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS

Carrie Busch helped lead volleyball powerhouse Pius XI to four straight WISAA State Championships from 1988 to 1991, sharing many of her volleyball memories (including this WVCA Hall of Fame induction) with her older sister, Nikki.

Carrie was named First Team All-Metro Conference and First Team All-State in 1990 and 1991 en route to Volleyball Monthly First Team All-American honors her senior season.

After high school, Carrie continued her volleyball career at the University of Texas where she was a four-year varsity letter winner from 1992 to 1995. She spent two seasons as an outside hitter before moving into the setting role, dishing out 1,589 assists her senior season alone–the second-highest single season total in UT history. Carrie earned Southwest Conference All-Tournament Team honors in 1994 and AVCA All-American and Volleyball Magazine Third Team All-American honors in 1995 after leading the Longhorns to the NCAA National Championship match.

Following stellar prep and college careers, Carrie continued to play professionally on the AVP and BVA circuits, claiming several open titles and individual honors. She still continues to play beach in California.

Volleyball has given her the opportunity to go and see places that she will never forget. She has been lucky to have great trainers, coaches, and teammates that have given her lasting memories along the way.

The Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association is honored to induct Carrie Busch as a member of the WVCA Hall of Fame Class of 2022.

PIUS XI & UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS

Nikki Busch helped lead volleyball powerhouse Pius XI to three WISAA State Championships from 1984 to 1988, accruing numerous honors and sharing many of her volleyball memories (including this WVCA Hall of Fame induction) with her younger sister, Carrie.

Nikki’s prep accolades include three First Team All-Metro Conference and First Team All-State honors while earning First Team All-American status as a senior. She was invited to train with the Junior National Program at the Olympic Training Center. Also a talented multi-sport athlete, Nikki was a three-time State champion triple jumper and a First Team All-State basketball player, leading the Lady Popes to three WISAA State Championships. She has since been inducted into the Pius XI Athletic Hall of Fame.

Following high school, Nikki was a standout player for the University of Texas, guiding the Longhorns to four straight Southwest Conference titles and claiming the NCAA National Championship in 1988. She was a three-time First Team All-SWC and two-time league Player of the Year honoree, as well as a First Team All-American. Nikki was named to the SWC First Team All-Decade (1980s) and was recently inducted into the UT Athletic Hall of Honor.

Nikki also was a member of two Olympic Festival Teams, trained with the US National Team, and played professionally in France after graduating from Texas.

The Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association is honored to induct Nikki Busch as a member of the WVCA Hall of Fame Class of 2022.

OFFICIAL

With an incredible five decades of experience under his belt, Keith Marx has been instrumental in promoting and progressing officiating in southeastern Wisconsin and all across the state.

Over the past 50 years, Keith has served as a mentor and rules interpreter for the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. With so much depth of knowledge (and incredibly thick skin) it is no surprise that Keith has been invited to officiate 12 WIAA State Girls Volleyball Tournaments, six WIAA State Boys Volleyball Tournaments, and four WISAA State Girls Volleyball Tournaments over the years.

When you ask Keith what he is most proud of, the foundation and organization of the Wisconsin High School Volleyball Officials Association (WHSVOA) in 1982 is at the top of his list. He has loved being able to work with wonderful colleagues, coaches, and players over the years and many of the connections developed through officiating have become lifelong friendships.

On top of officiating, Keith is an educator in the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District where he teaches marketing. Also a well-established coach himself, Keith has also previously served as the varsity soccer coach at West Allis Nathan Hale High School, racking up three conference championships and three State Tournament appearances.

The Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association is honored to induct Keith Marx as a member of the WVCA Hall of Fame Class of 2022.