Two seasons.
 
That's how long Cyndi Rhone's career as a volleyball player at Arkansas State lasted, but it was one of the most impactful two seasons in program history. As a result, she will be inducted into the A-State Hall of Honor at its annual banquet on Friday, Oct. 25, joining three former teammates: Jo Beth Carmack (Webb), Margie Kolat (McGee) and Beth Anderson (Nuneviller), as well as her former head coach, Chris Poole.
 
"It was really special and I was really shocked," she said about learning of her induction. "I just never thought I would be in a hall of fame. I don't know why. I just was shocked and pleased and really happy to share that with my family."
 
The Californian joined the program ahead of the 1990 season after two seasons at Saddleback College in her home state and immediately made an impact. Her first season, which was A-State's last in the American South Conference, was stellar. She finished with the second-best single-season totals in both attacks and kills, as well as the highest attack percentage in program history. She earned All-ASC Second Team honors and helped her team reach the Women's Invitational Volleyball Championship, going 39-8 overall.
 
As impressive as her debut season was, the following was even better. With A-State moving to the Sun Belt Conference, the squad finished 41-9 and went undefeated in league play. Rhone bettered her first season by setting single-season records for kills, attacks, aces and digs. The then-Lady Indians went on to win both regular-season and conference tournament crowns, with Rhone being named the SBC Player of the Year.
 
Rhone is one of just eight players in A-State's 1,000-1,000 club, totaling 1,304 career kills and 1,081 digs. Three of her teammates: Webb, McGee and Nuneviller are also part of that elite group. With so much talent in back-to-back seasons, Rhone noted that the key to success was their cohesion and well-roundedness.
 
"We had a good flow," Rhone recalls. "I had been on some other good teams when I played club. There was a cohesiveness and an understanding from when we practiced together and we just were able to do all the parts you need to do, passing a ball to the setter and the setter setting. But our setter would also make really good choices on who she was setting and we would be able to execute. We practiced so much together and were able to perform and execute what we needed to do in order to win."
 
Being one of multiple Californians on the squad, Rhone admits that there was a stark transition they faced when moving over halfway across the country, but her teammates – and that aforementioned cohesion – helped soften the landing.
 
"Just getting to play at Arkansas was wonderful and the teammates were really great," Rhone said. "Jo Beth and her family were so supportive of us all, and I just remember getting to go do some fun things with her family. It was really nice to be brought in that way. They really cared for us and made sure we were doing okay, but as a team, it also helped how close we were and how much fun we had together."
 
Part of that togetherness Rhone reflects upon is the leadership of Poole, who went 213-54 in his six seasons at A-State (1987-92).
 
"He had a clear plan," she said. "It was easy to respect him, and he was a good leader as a coach. It was easy to follow what he wanted to do. It helped with our cohesiveness and he was easy to play for."
 
Rhone added that, while they all had different skills, she and her teammates were able to bring out the best in one another, simply because they enjoyed being with one another playing a sport they loved.
 
Now, as an educator in California, Rhone strives to apply some of the lessons learned at A-State – and even volleyball skills – in hopes of fostering interest in the sport in younger generations.
 
"I played volleyball my whole life, and I was really pleased that I was able to play my final two years of eligibility at Arkansas State," she said. "We played at such a competitive level and we were winning. Of course, it's always fun to win, but there was also a lot of good training to keep our strengths up. I've always enjoyed planning physical education lessons and hoping there are times that I can incorporate some volleyball skills in my lessons, but I teach elementary school, so those are some really basic skills that I can teach. I've always felt physical education is important. It guided me throughout school, and sports has always been a big part of my life. I just hope that happens for some of my students that really are enjoying it like I did when I was a kid."