Former Urbandale star Kyla Inderski was inducted into the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union Volleyball Hall of Fame on Thursday during the state tournament at Xtream Arena in Coralville.
Ankeny coach Liz Baethke, who coached at Urbandale for 23 years before taking over the Hawkettes’ program in 2023, accepted the award on behalf of her former player. Inderski was unable to attend the induction ceremony.
“I wish she could have been here. It doesn’t feel right not having her here,” Baethke said. “She was just a phenomenal athlete. She was an all-state soccer kid, she loved to practice and was a gamer, and she was fierce. Those are the words I would use to describe her. And academically, she was smart. She went to Drake and had an incredible career.”
Inderski, an outside hitter, helped Urbandale to three state tournament appearances in her four-year varsity career. In her last three years, she averaged 33 ace serves, 3.9 kills, 3.68 digs, 58 blocks and a hitting percentage of .331.
Inderski was a third-team Class 4A all-state selection, was named first team Class 5A and was an Elite all-state selection her final two years. She was selected the Class 5A player of the year as a senior.
At Drake, Inderski was instrumental in the Bulldogs’ success. She averaged 3.09 kills, 3.25 digs, 46 blocks, 17 aces and had a hitting percentage of .193.
Inderski was named to the Freshman all-Missouri Valley Conference team, and her senior year was named first-team all-MVC and first-team MVC scholar-athlete.
Baethe recalled one memorable play from her high school days when Inderski relied on her soccer skills to make a play on the volleyball court.
“She could jump and hit over the block, but someone actually got a stuff and she did like a soccer kick up to herself,” Baethke said. “That was the greatest play I’ve ever seen. It was the most epic (play) from one individual.”
