It’s safe to say our first inductee is someone who played her position better than anyone before or after at Madison College. A three-sport athlete who split time between Wisconsin Heights and River Valley High Schools, Vanessa (Clarson) Duhr raised the bar for what it meant to play WolfPack volleyball.
After a decorated high school career that included state championships in volleyball and gymnastics, Vanessa stepped in immediately to fill the role of libero and defensive specialist for Madison College in 2012. She racked up 532 digs and a 5.32 digs per set average, while also serving up 33 aces, and helped the WolfPack to a share of its first North Central Community College Conference title and a top ten ranking in the final NJCAA Division III Poll. Vanessa was rewarded with first team honors in the N4C and Region 4, as well as named to the Region 4 All-Tournament Team.
Vanessa and the WolfPack were focused and driven entering the 2013 campaign, seeking to improve upon their 24-5 record from the previous fall. They would do that…and more. Madison College registered a 34-3 record that included a second consecutive N4C championship and the program’s second Region 4 crown to earn an automatic berth into the NJCAA Division III Women’s Volleyball National Tournament.
The mission was not yet complete, and in Rochester, Minnesota, Vanessa and her teammates left little doubt as they swept all three matches, including a 25-22, 25-19, 25-22 victory over Ridgewater College to claim the team’s first national championship. In addition to another round of first team all-conference and all-region accolades, Vanessa was also named First Team NJCAA All-American, along with two of her teammates, and was voted Team Most Valuable Player. She finished the season with a then single-season record 612 digs and led the team with 45 aces.
At Madison College, Vanessa remains the only player in program history to reach 1,000 career digs and sits first all-time with 1,144 digs. She also ranks 20th in career aces with 78 and owns four of the top 12 single-match digs totals, including the second-highest of 45. In additional to her volleyball excellence, the two-time team captain was also a two-time Academic All-N4C recipient for her work in the classroom.
“Vanessa's contributions to our program were more than just numbers on a stat sheet, although, that in itself, is a testimony to her incredible two years,” stated former coach, Toby Parker. “A starter from day one, her leadership and character was instrumental. Without it, 2012 doesn't play out the way it did, and 2013's magical season certainly doesn't happen.”
Vanessa left Madison College to attend UW-Madison, earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and immediately began her career as a registered nurse. She’s now in her seventh year working in the Neonatal ICU at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison. She and her husband, Jameson, live in Mazomanie, Wisconsin, with their young children Wesley and Teagan. When not working or raising her kids, Vanessa enjoys the outdoors, especially biking, hiking, and boating, as well as the occasional workout session at Burn Boot Camp in Middleton.
When asked about her time at Madison College, Vanessa said, “I decided to play volleyball for fun, to meet friends and play a sport I missed and loved. I enjoyed it so much I played a second year and convinced my little sister to join me. The best thing I gained from this experience are the lifelong friendships that remain today.”
In 2025, Vanessa was also inducted into the
Region 4 Hall of Fame, joining two of her teammates and the entire 2013 national championship team.
