Kristen Hahn

Classroom

Hahn is a 3.42 GPA student in Iowa State’s kinesiology program. A two-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team recipient, Hahn was named to the CoSIDA/Capital One Academic All-District team in 2012. Scheduled to graduate in May 2014, Hahn plans on moving to Europe to play professionally with an eye on becoming a member of the USA Volleyball National Team. Outside of volleyball, Hahn wants to go on to graduate school to pursue a career in physical therapy.

Character

Hahn’s Iowa State career got off to a sluggish start as she played sparingly in her freshman year behind Ashley Mass, one of the best Libero’s in the country and a rare first-team All-American from the Libero position.

Going into her sophomore year, the position was Hahn’s to lose, but there would be pressure to maintain the tradition.

“There was doubt whether I could play, both from myself and others,” Hahn said. “I had to hear from the press and newspapers about how I might not be able to fill the spot Ashley had left open. I focused on my mental game, and it made things much easier for me.”

“When Kristen arrived at Iowa State, she struggled with her confidence and her play on the court,” Iowa State head coach Christy Johnson-Lynch said. “Through hard work and determination, Kristen has made herself into one of the best players in the country.”

Community

Iowa State prides itself on the outstanding impact that its student-athletes have in the Ames community, and Hahn has been a strong example of what it means to give back.

Hahn partakes in Iowa State Athletics’ “Adopt-a-Family” program each year during the holiday season. She also partakes in Dance Marathon.

Along with the rest of the Cyclones volleyball team, Hahn takes part in Special Olympics, helping use her skills to benefit those without such fortune.

Competition

Hahn is one of the top defensive players in the country, a talented Libero whose court coverage makes life easier on her teammates to help set up an offense and more difficult on her opponents who struggle to find a way through the Cyclones’ stringent defenses.

She is the two-time defending Big 12 Libero of the Year, helping Iowa State extend its streak of winning the award to five consecutive years. Last season, Hahn was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week a record eight times in one season. She has won the award 12 times in her distinguished career.

She is a two-time AVCA All-American, earning second-team honors in 2012 after being named honorable mention in 2011. Hahn is also a two-time All-Big 12 recipient.

On the court, Hahn became the first player in Iowa State history to have back-to-back 600 dig seasons last year. She has at least 20 digs in a match on 32 occasions in her career and six matches of at least 30 digs.