At a time when colleges like the University of New Haven and Stony Brook ruled the volleyball ranks of the New England Collegiate Conference, it speaks volumes that Katie Toomey was twice voted the NECC Player of the Year.
"I think that's a rarity," said UML Head Coach Karen McNulty. "It was just a case in that Katie was so dominant, that she couldn't not be recognized. She was my first big recruit. We're lucky that she stayed local. She would've been a fine small college Division I player."
UMass Lowell's most decorated player, Toomey was voted to the NECC All-Conference First Team all four years. She was named the NECC Rookie of the Year in 1995 and the Player of the Year in 1997 and 1998.
Toomey is the third-ever volleyball player to be inducted into the UMass Lowell Athletic Hall of Fame. She joins Susan MacDonald ('89), inducted in 1996, and Michelle Roy ('91), inducted in 2003.
During Toomey's era, UMass Lowell posted a four-year clip of 84-67, which included a 25-7 showing in 1996 when the River Hawks placed second in the NECC and advanced to the ECAC Tournament semifinal round. UMass Lowell was also the NECC runner-up in 1997.
Toomey left the program with a plethora of career records, including games played (480), kills (1,897) and career hitting percentage (.337). She also held the career mark for digs (1,260), which has since been surpassed.
"Katie was a finesse player who was flashy and exciting and her attacking made you take notice," McNulty noted. "She was extremely fit - that was one of the things that made her a great player. She served well, she played the back row.
"I remember she had some back issues when she was here and she played right through them," she added.
Toomey graduated in 1999 with a degree in business administration.
