Beloit College

Hailing from St. Helens, Oregon, Betsy Phinney arrived at Beloit College already an established academic and athletic all-star. In her first season as a middle-hitter in volleyball, she set a new record for solo blocks (93), and her 175 kills were just seven short of the all-time high. She continued to excel at the net as a sophomore, accumulating a total of 58 solo stuff blocks, 88 block assists, and 30 service aces. At the culmination of a Buccaneer volleyball career that remains unmatched, Phinney is the pacesetter in solo blocks (373), block assists (246), and total blocks (619), as well as the holder of one single game and two season marks. She also was nationally ranked third in blocks and ninth in hitting percentage and was twice named first-team all-Midwest Conference and academic all-conference. Paralleling her dominance on the court, Phinney was a force to be reckoned with on the track. During her career as an indoor and outdoor hurdler, she set school standards that stand today. In the outdoor 100 high hurdles, she is the record holder at :15.36, and in  indoor competition, her time of :8.79 in the 55 high hurdles still prevails. Phinney won an impressive three conference championships in indoor and outdoor hurdle events and capped an already stellar career by earning the coveted “B” blanket and the Red Janssen’50 and Ruth Colman Peterson’38 scholar/athlete awards. Betsy and her husband, Peter Williams, reside in Spokane, Washington.