Illinois State's Jenny Kabbes, a 1999 First-Team All-Missouri Valley Conference middle blocker and the 1998 Valley Newcomer of the Year will miss the entire 2000 volleyball season to rehabilitate her right shoulder, which was surgically repaired this week.
Kabbes, a 6-foot graduate of Bloomington Central Catholic High School, already ranks No. 10 in career block assists after two seasons at Illinois State and her .271 hitting percentage is No. 6 in Redbird history. Last year, she led the Redbirds in blocks and was No. 2 on the team in kills.
Playing opposite all-America candidate Kendra Haselhorst, Kabbes' loss will mean some adjustments for head coach Sharon Dingman and the Redbirds. But the Redbirds' first-year head coach has a plan, and is impressed with her team's reaction to the loss of one of its top players.
"We won't be the same team without Jenny," said Dingman, who will move junior Megan Stephenson from outside hitter to join Haselhorst and Bradley transfer Christy Beyers in the middle. "It's a big loss for us, but we are confident other players will step up and help us reach our goals as a team. The players have responded (to the news) in a positive fashion."
Kabbes' shoulder pain started last year.
"It bothered her last fall, and we held her out at times in the spring in hopes that would help," said Dingman. "But now she can at least look forward to playing her last two years pain-free."
Dr. Rob Seidl performed the surgery on Kabbes, who will have two years of eligibility left when she returns to active playing status in 2001.
