An unprecedented five-time National Champion with the Golden Bear volleyball program, Ellie (Duffy) Richards was a standout performer in the classroom and on the court during her time in navy and gold.
In her five years on campus, Concordia compiled a staggering 173-11 record for a 94.0 percent winning percentage, including victories in Richards’ first 74 NSIC matches. In total, her squads went 96-4 in league play and a perfect 30-0 in NCAA Tournament play.
After a loss in the first match of her college career, Richards helped the Golden Bears rattle off an incredible 75 consecutive wins over her first two-plus seasons as she was a key contributor during that span, earning NCAA All-Tournament Team honors in her freshman campaign.
The Fridley, Minnesota (Totino-Grace HS) native missed the 2010 season due to injury, but was back to her hard-hitting ways in the two following seasons. She capped off her decorated career with a huge senior year that saw her take home AVCA All-America Second Team recognition while guiding CSP to their sixth of seven NCAA titles in a row.
While her successes on the court were memorable, her accomplishments off the court were perhaps even more impressive. In addition to being a two-time Academic All-America pick and a four-year member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Richards was active in the community as well. Her dedication to help her community led to her participation in more than 15 service projects, including a 10-day mission trip to Guatemala. Other service included Tri-Pi Math Club, Concordia University Science Club, Feed My Starving Children, Gillette Children's Hospital and Immaculate Conception Elementary School.
A double major in mathematics and biology at Concordia, Richards has put her degrees to good use as a Principal Biostatistician at Boston Scientific where she is responsible for trial design and data analysis in medical device clinical trials. She resides in Minnetonka with her husband, Thomas, and their son, Melvin.
Career Awards
- Five-time NCAA Champion
- 2012-13 NCAA Today’s Top 10 Award
- 2012-13 NCAA Woman of the Year - Top-9 Finalist (all divisions)
- Two-time CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team (2011, 2012)
- 2012 AVCA All-America Second Team
- 2012 AVCA All-Region First Team
- 2012 Daktronics All-Region Second Team
- 2012 All-NSIC First Team
- NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction Award
- Four-time NSIC All-Academic
- Two-time NCAA All-Tournament Team (2008, 2012)
- Two-time NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team (2008, 2012)
CSP Records
- 9th - season service aces per set (0.42, 2012)
- t-10th - season service aces (52, 2012)
- 11th - season points per set (4.41, 2012)
- 13th - season kills (476, 2012)
- 13th - season points (551.0, 2012)
- 13th - career service aces (113)
- 18th - career kills (1084)
- 18th - career points (1285.5)
- 20th - career attack percentage (.270)
Career & Season Stats
- Member of the 1,000 kill club with 1,084 career kills
- Career 480 digs, 142 total blocks (35 solo & 107 assists) and 113 service aces
- Career 2.74 kills per set with .270 hitting percentage
- Led the NSIC with 0.42 aces per set in 2012
- Averaged 3.81 kills per set and hit .324 in 2012
- Collected over 150 kills in four different seasons
