Duquesne Athletics 2024 Hall Of Fame Class Honored

Volleyball had the opportunity to start the evening off with Steve Opperman being able to inform the crowd about both Elizabeth Homan and Arielle Love, both of whom made program-defining impacts.

Homan’s accolades include a spot on the 2008 Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team, making the All-Conference team three separate times, being the first Duke to be named AVCA All-American with her honorable mention nod and assisting the program in achieving a record 23 wins in 2010. Homan, who is in the university’s top five in a variety of statistics while also being part of the coaching staff for multiple seasons, including the 2013 NCAA Tournament berth.

“I’m just so thankful for all of the people who got me here today,” she reflected. “Coach Opperman, he saw potential in me, really took a risk, and he developed me into the player that I was. He also helped get me started in my career. My family have been huge supporters since I was young, making so many sacrifices and all of the support staff that have been a part of my life here at Duquesne. Very honored to be a part of this.”

Love is the university’s only three-time First Team All-Atlantic 10 performer (2012, 2013 and 2014) and in 2013 was named A-10 Championship Most Outstanding Player en route to an AVCA Honorable Mention All-American.

The one-time Ohioan and now Texan finished her career with a .359 hitting percentage while also placing fifth all-time in total blocks and third in career block assists.

When Love received her letter from the university revealing her induction, it took a while for her to process and when that time did come, she took a step back, realizing that it was happening.

“It’s a very humbling experience to be surrounded by all of the folks who impacted my journey,” explained Love. “The journey to be on the stage at the hall of fame, was not a journey I walked alone. The support of Coach Steve Opperman, my amazing teammates that I am still in contact with today, athletic administration and all of the support is just tremendous.”

The 2013 Volleyball team accomplished something no women’s program on campus had previously done, make it to the NCAA Tournament.

That group, which consisted of Love, Patty Abshire, Maddie Burnham, Marah Farage, Allison Foschia, Mary Henry, Sammy Kline, Lacey Levers, Julia McCabe, Jenn Vargo and Nora Young won 20 games and went 12-2 in the Atlantic 10, claiming both the regular season and tournament championships.

This squad also included Homan who was a graduate assistant, giving back to the program and helping players such as Love pave the way and lead future Dukes.

The Dukes were 9-1 at home that season and defeated VCU 3-1 to claim the A-10 Championship and berth into the NCAA Tournament.

“Knowing that all of us contributed to our team being the first women’s team to make it to the NCAA Tournament here at Duquesne, surrounded by teammates who worked day in and day out to accomplish such a tremendous feat is amazing.”