Warrior Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony

Lynda Stokes Hartman, ’89, was a standout in Volleyball at Midland from 1985-1989.  Originally from Friend, Nebraska, Hartman was a 5’10” Middle Blocker for Head Coach Sue Wewel. Hartman was a three-time team MVP for Midland and she earned NIAC All-Conference honors in 1987 and 1988, as well as NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors in ’87 and ’88.  At the conclusion of her senior season in 1988, Hartman held a total of 10 school records, including career records in kills, solo blocks, and assisted blocks and season records in solo blocks in a match and assisted blocks in a match.  Lynda earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in 1989, majoring in Accounting.  After graduating from Midland in 1989, she began working at Kiewit Corporation in Omaha and she is currently an Account Manager.  Lynda and her husband, Ron, live in Bennington and they have two adult children – Bailey and Riley.

Eric Vrba, ’10, was a standout goalkeeper in Soccer at Midland.  Vrba was a two-time Honorable Mention All-Conference selection in 2007 and 2009 and he earned NAIA Honorable Mention All-America honors in 2007.  He was also named NAIA Scholar-Athlete in 2008 and 2009.  In 2009, Vrba helped lead the Warriors to their first-ever NAIA National Championship tournament berth with a GPAC Tournament Championship road match victory over top-ranked Hasting College.  He currently holds the career record at Midland for total saves and he ranks 2^nd in career shutouts.  He also ranks 2^nd for saves and shutouts in a season.  Eric earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in 2010, majoring in Accounting.  A Certified Public Accountant, Vrba is currently the Controller for City+Ventures.  He was selected as the Petrow Award winner in 2010 in recognition of his outstanding accomplishments as a student-athlete.  Eric and his wife Betsy currently live in Omaha.

Justin Zebolsky, ’09, was a standout in Golf at Midland from 2005-09.  Zebolsky helped guide the Warriors to the NAIA National Tournament in 2006, 2007, and 2008.  Individually, he won the GPAC Conference Tournament in 2007 and 2009 and he was named GPAC Golfer of the year both years.  At the 2007 Regional Tournament, Zebolsky and his Midland teammates claimed a one shot team victory that was in doubt until the final hole of the tournament.  Zebolsky earned NAIA Honorable Mention All-America honors in 2007 and he earned NAIA 2^nd Team All-America honors in 2009. Justin earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in 2009.  He currently works for Sherwin Williams and has held leadership roles in Management and Sales.  Justin and his wife, Rachel, live in Omaha.

The 2013 Midland Volleyball Team established itself as being one of the outstanding volleyball teams in the NAIA.  The Warriors started the 2013 season on a 22-match win streak, sparking them to an overall record of 37-5 and a Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) record of 13-3.  After a 2^nd place finish in the GPAC Regular Season, they were crowned GPAC Tournament Champions with a remarkable 3-2 victory over regular season champion, Northwestern, earning Midland’s first-ever trip to the NAIA National Championship Tournament.  #6 Midland advanced out of pool play at the National Tournament only to find themselves matched up with #5 Northwestern College for the fourth time in 2013 and with a spot in the NAIA Quarterfinals on the line.  After the first three contests went to 5 sets, Midland downed the Red Raiders 3-1 to advance to the Quarterfinal round of the National Tournament.  Midland’s historic season came to an end in the Quarterfinals at the hands of the eventual national champion.  The Warriors would finish the season ranked #7 in the NAIA.  A total of seven players earned post-season honors, including three First Team All-Conference players, two Second Team All-Conference players, and two Honorable Mention All-Conference players.  Two players also earned Second Team NAIA All-America honors and four players earned NAIA Scholar Athlete honors.