From CJ Online
Emporia State athletics is mourning the recent death of Arica Shepard Ahlvers, a three-time All-American volleyball player and former director of athletic marketing for ESU.
Ahlvers, 28, died unexpectedly this past Thursday according to an ESU news release and
Ahlvers’ obituary.
The Rossville native played at ESU from 2006-2009, putting together one of the better careers in program history.
Ahlvers was a three-time AVCA All-American and four-time All-MIAA selection for the Hornets. She holds ESU’s single season and career records in kills, kills per set, double-figure kill matches and 20-plus kill matches.
Ahlvers led the Hornets to an MIAA championship and the NCAA regional championship match in 2009.
Her twin sister, Ashley Shepard Spahn, played volleyball at Washburn.
Ahlvers returned to ESU as director of athletics marketing in September of 2011 and remained at ESU until December of 2013.
She married Cole Ahlvers, a former football player at Benedictine College, in August of 2011. They have a daughter, Collins.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Cole, Collins and the rest of Arica’s family. It’s a tragedy to lose someone so young,” Emporia State athletic director Kent Weiser said. “Arica was an outstanding student-athlete and her positive personality was evident on the volleyball court and again when she worked with us as our marketing director.”
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Christ the King Church, 25th and Wanamaker.