William H. Hollinger Hall of Fame
Jill (Howard) Landis was a critical piece of the volleyball team’s dominant run from 2003 to 2006. She was a team captain over her last two seasons with the program and helped the Terriers to a combined 111-29 record, which included an NCAC regular-season title in 2005 and an NCAC Tournament championship in 2006. She remains Hiram’s all-time leader in digs (2,020) and ranks 2nd in service aces (213) and matches played (139). The NCAC named Jill to the All-Tournament Team for her efforts throughout the team’s championship run in 2006.
Jill was a defensive stalwart for Hiram, racking up digs and keeping the ball alive for front line players like Shana Toth, Michelle Kozempa and Megan Taylor. She was the team’s single-season leader in digs in 2004, 2005 and 2006, and led Hiram in service aces in 2004 and 2005. Her 41 digs against Denison in 2006 set a new program record that would stand for nearly 15 years. Her favorite memory was beating Wittenberg on the road in the 2006 conference tournament championship game.
All four of Jill’s years with the team came under the leadership of Ellen Dempsey, who served as a head coach on the court and mentor off the court. She is thankful for Dempsey teaching her to grow up away from home and all the qualities that made her so impactful.
Jill would go on to receive her master’s degree in education from Marietta College in 2009. She has spent 14 years working in early childhood education, most recently as an education coordinator. She also has over 20 years of experience coaching volleyball at the club and high school levels.
