LEXINGTON, Ky. - The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) is proud to announce the seventh annual AVCA Hall of Fame class, featuring Spring Hill College's Dr. Peggy Martin, the first executive director of the Professional Association of Volleyball Officials Marcia Alterman, Marv Dunphy of Pepperdine University and Terry Pettit of the University of Nebraska. The 2009 AVCA Hall of Fame class will be inducted in ceremonies December 17 at the Jostens Coaches Honors Luncheon, held in conjunction with the 2009 AVCA Annual Convention in Tampa, Fla.

During her 32 years as head volleyball coach at the University of Central Missouri, Peggy Martin's squads won at least 25 matches for 30 straight seasons, racking up 1,035 wins in the process. Under her guidance, the Jennies won or shared 19 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) crowns since the league began sponsoring the sport in 1982. Her teams also made 25 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, the most in NCAA Division II history, and reached the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals six times. Her career was highlighted by a national runner-up showing in 1987, a year in which she was also named the AVCA Division II National Coach of the Year.

Martin announced her retirement from Central Missouri at the conclusion of the 2007 season, returning to her hometown of Mobile, Alabama. However, her love and passion for the sport led her right back into coaching, as she has accepted the head coaching duties at NAIA-affiliated Spring Hill College beginning in the 2009 season.

After receiving her Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University in 1972, Martin's coaching career began at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, while she was completing her Master of Science degree in physical education, serving as both the women's volleyball and basketball assistant coach. From there, she went on to become the assistant volleyball coach at Florida Southern College for one season before landing the head coaching job at Central Missouri in 1975. Martin earned her doctorate in physical education from Indiana University in 1980.

"While it is a major accomplishment to build a program and compete at a national level for any period of time, it is legendary to consistently compete at that level for over 30 years," wrote Debbie Hendricks, Metro State College head coach, in her nomination letter. "While her numbers are astounding - over 1,000 wins, 25 straight NCAA Tournament appearances and 19 conference championships - I believe the intangible qualities in this coach are what makes her worthy of Hall of Fame recognition."

The induction of these four honorees will bring the total number of AVCA Hall of Fame honorees to 48 in its seven years of existence.

"This year's class is a testament to the broad community of achievers that makes our sport a success," said Kathy DeBoer, AVCA executive director. "Our four inductees, representing two NCAA divisions, coaches of both genders and an official, are all individually distinguished in their fields and collectively demonstrate the strength of leadership in volleyball."

The AVCA Hall of Fame committee consists of: Nona Richardson, UC Davis (former coach, chair); Arnie Ball, IPFW (NCAA Coach); Debby Colberg (AVCA Hall of Fame member); Chad Purcell, Omaha World-Herald (media); Bren Stevens, University of Charleston (administrator); and Brenda Williams, Olivet Nazarene University (NAIA/Two-Year College coach).