Two longtime local volleyball coaches are going into the Iowa Girls Coaches Association Volleyball Hall of Fame. Longtime Pella High School head coach Bob Fessler and Pella Christian Coach John Evenhouse have been selected to this year’s class of honorees.

In 15 years of coaching between Pella and Walnut Ridge Academy in Waterloo, Fessler won 419 games. He also led Pella to five consecutive state appearances from 2006-2010. Fessler is also being recognized for his off-the-court contributions; he’s been the IGCA Volleyball Chairman since 2001 and served on several other state committees, and was responsible for the creation of the IGHSAU state tournament stats and All-Tournament team selection process.. Since leaving volleyball coaching, Fessler has become a recognized referee since 2013, officiating at both the collegiate and high school levels, including four state tournament finals.

Evenhouse served as the head volleyball coach at Pella Christian for 22 years before retiring from that position a year ago in 2018. On November 23, Coach Evenhouse will be inducted into the Iowa Girls Coaches Association Volleyball Hall of Fame. Evenhouse was 555-250-49 as the Eagles head coach, and his teams reached the state tournament 10 times, including four in a row from 2007-2010.

Both will be inducted this weekend at the All-Star Volleyball weekend in Carroll. Tune into this Saturday’s Coaches Corner to hear from both about the Hall of Fame honors.