Halacheva named to the NJCAA Volleyball Hall of Fame
Having completed a stellar career which impacted Cowley, NJCAA and NCAA Volleyball, former Cowley College standout Iva Halacheva was recently selected to be inducted into the NJCAA Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Joining Halacheva in the 2025 Class are Dekyra Dennis (Coffeyville), Preecy Seever (Johnson County), Stephanie Champine (Owens), Thais Baziquetto-Allen (Florida Southwestern / Seward), and her former Cowley head coach Steven Gream.
According to Cowley College head volleyball coach Steven Gream, Halacheva came to Cowley with experience in the game from playing at a high level in Europe and used that experience to have a solid career for the Lady Tigers.
"Iva was an exceptional athlete who played at a high level for our program," Gream said. "Her maturity and skill set were invaluable to our program from day one. She was the player a coach could count on to be a leader on the court and put the team on her back when times got tough. Iva was an athlete that coaches dream of, with her ability to adjust quickly, a strong serve, and her amazing hitting skills that made her the all-time kills leader in Cowley history. She used these abilities and her leadership skills to have an outstanding Cowley Volleyball career that included a national runner-up finish in 2021 and also an outstanding NCAA DI career at Missouri State University. We are very excited that the NJCAA VCA Hall of Fame committee were impressed with her decorated career and selected her for the Hall of Fame!"
Cowley Athletic Director, Jeff Fluty, also reflected on the news of Halacheva's induction. "Iva's remarkable career at Cowley set the bar for excellence, culminating in multiple All-American awards and records that may never be broken. The NJCAA VCA Hall of Fame induction is the highest recognition of her exceptional talent, tireless work ethic, and the indelible mark she left on the court. We are incredibly proud to celebrate her as one of the very best to ever wear the Cowley orange and black."
Halacheva was a strong presence on the court for Cowley College during her three seasons as a Tiger. During her freshman season in 2019, the outside hitter played in 109 sets, recorded 475 kills at 4.36 kills per set, a .350 hitting percentage, 46 aces, 99 digs, and 26 blocks. Halacheva's efforts earned postseason accolades including NJCAA First Team All-American, First Team All-District, KJCCC First Team All-Conference, and NJCAA Offensive Player of the Week.
During the Covid shortened season in 2020, Halacheva played in 97 sets and recorded 503 kills at 5.10 kills per set (both led the NJCAA), a .336 hitting percentage, 28 aces, 204 digs, and 49 blocks. For her efforts, she earned post season accolades including NJCAA First Team All-American, AVCA Second Team All-American, Volleyballmag.com All-American, First Team All-District, KJCCC First Team All-Conference, NJCAA Offensive Player of the Week.
During Halacheva's super-sophomore campaign in 2021, the Bulgarian native finished the season by playing in 130 sets while recording 605 kills at 4.65 kills per set, a .450 hitting percentage, 71 aces, 159 digs, and 32 blocks. For her efforts, Halacheva earned post season accolades that included being named NJCAA First Team All-American, AVCA First Team All-American, Volleyballmag.com All-American, First Team All-District, KJCCC First Team All-Conference, KJCCC Most Valuable Player, AVCA Two-Year College Player of the week, NJCAA National Tournament All-Tournament team, NJCAA Offensive Player of the Week, AVCA Two-Year Player of the Week, Cowley Athletics Female Athlete of the Year
Halacheva concluded her two-year college career with a series of honors, records and accomplishments. She recorded 1,583 career kills (#1 in Cowley history), averaged 5.03 kills per set (#1 in Cowley history), recorded 145 service aces (#8 in Cowley history), recorded a .380 hitting percentage (#7 in Cowley history), 605 kills in a season (#3 in Cowley history), recorded a Cowley record 37 kills in a match, recorded double digit kills 96 times in her career, Finished NJCAA National Runner-up (2021), three time NJCAA All-American (2019, 2020, 2021), two time AVCA Two-Year College All-American (2020, 2021), two time Volleyballmag.com All-American (2020, 2021), KJCCC Most Valuable Player, NJCAA National Player of the Week (twice), AVCA Two-Year College Player of the Week, three time NJCAA All-Academic, three time KJCCC All-Academic, and Cowley Athletics Female Athlete of the Year.
Halacheva had this to say about being inducted into the NJCAA Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. "I am truly honored to be inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame. The recognition reflects not just my hard work but also my teammates, coaches and everyone involved in my journey, who stood beside me through all these years. I don't remember every game I've played, but I do remember all of my teammates who made me believe we could win any game. They made every kill possible, this honor belongs to them as much as it does to me. To be recognized among so many talented players and coaches is such a blessing and I am so grateful!"
The induction ceremony will be held in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on November 18, 2025 at the NJCAA DII national tournament banquet.