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The University of Mississippi Athletics
1,000-1,000 Club Highlight: Mary Ahern’s Dominant Senior Year Helps Her Make History
10/1/2025 | Volleyball
OXFORD, Miss. – In celebration of Ole Miss volleyball's 50 seasons of competition, OleMissSports.com is proud to highlight nine student-athletes part of an elite club, who accomplished one of the rarest athletic feats in program history.
Comprised of athletes from the 1980's to as recently as 2017, Ole Miss' 1,000-1,000 club honors players who record at least 1,000 tallies in two statistical categories throughout their careers, generally kills and digs, showcasing excellence in both offense and defense.
In 1989, Mary Ahern put together one of the best individual single-season efforts ever seen by Ole Miss volleyball, tallying career highs in nearly every statistical category throughout the campaign. In doing so, she became Ole Miss' second member of the 1,000-1,000 club.
Ahern entered the 1989 season needing just under 300 digs and kills to join former teammate Julie Link Clark in Ole Miss' 1,000-1,000 club. Coming off a junior campaign where she only played in 64 sets, the odds were stacked against her.
However, Ahern tapped into a different gear and easily surpassed the grand marks while passing Link Clark for most digs by an Ole Miss Rebel. Ahern became a staple of head coach John Blair's rotation early in his tenure while helping to further establish Ole Miss volleyball's identity entering the 1990s.
Destination: Oxford
Ahern was part of a dominant team at Palatine High School in Illinois, making recruiting a hot topic between her and her teammates.
"When I went to high school, we all went to Division I programs," Ahern said. "We were stacked in high school, and we all had the same mentality."
Al Givens had just left Ole Miss after a brief stint at the helm, paving a path for John Blair to take over in 1986. When he did so, Ahern was one of the first athletes he sought after. He reached out to Ahern via phone calls and letters, well before the days of the internet had taken over.
Ahern took an official visit to Ole Miss, where she met Cami Jones, who helped convince her that Oxford was the move. Jones, a native of Brawley, California, had committed to Ole Miss prior to Ahern, but the two quickly established a friendship. Ahern decided to go forth with Jones at Ole Miss, with plenty support from the team itself.
The outside hitter established herself as a capable competitor early on as a freshman in 1986. She particularly shined against nonconference opponents, having set a season-high 18 kills against UAB. Alongside Link Clark, Ahern had a special talent for serving, leading the team that season with 71 service aces.
She finished her freshman campaign with 256 kills offensively, good enough for third best on the team. She had a nearly equal output defensively with 258 digs. She helped guide the team, despite her young age, to its 11th consecutive winning season and its first under Blair.
Ahern's momentum continued into the next season despite the overall team struggles. She upped both her kills and digs season totals from her freshman campaign, which included the team's second-highest mark of 289 kills. She had a standout performance against Louisiana-Monroe, setting a then-Ole Miss record 33 digs.
However, things would slow down for Ahern's junior season. She found herself sidelined for nearly half of the season's matches due to injuries. Her absence was felt by the team, which had its fewest wins in a season in program history. Despite that, Ahern still had a solid season when she was on the court.
With 157 kills, she led the team in that stat for the first time in her career. She was able to cement herself as one of the best Rebels in program history at the conclusion of the season, sitting top five in career kills, attempts, aces and digs.
The next season, Ahern, now healthy, had a specific goal in mind.
"I remember having a conversation with coach Blair about wanting to make all-conference," Ahern said. "It was my last chance at getting it."
With her mind set, Ahern set forth on what would prove to be one of the most underrated seasons in SEC history.
She exploded for 568 kills on a .258 attack clip, both of which became Ole Miss sideout scoring era records that would never be topped by a Rebel. Her kill total that season still ranks second in all eras of Ole Miss volleyball. Additionally, her .258 attack percentage is the highest single-season mark among all of Ole Miss' 1,000-1,000 club members.
Not only was she productive on the attack, but her and teammate Michelle Whitby-York became the second and third Rebels to reach 400 digs in a single season. Whitby-York had an incredible 503 at the setter position, while Ahern had an even 400.
With Ahern leading the charge, Ole Miss had reestablished itself as a strong member of the SEC with a 30-12 record. It marked Ole Miss' first 30-plus win season since 1979. While she didn't earn a spot on the All-SEC Team, Ahern did more than enough to cement herself as one of the best players in Ole Miss volleyball history.
She had managed to make the most of her time with the program, finishing her career with 1,270 kills, 1,173 digs and 182 service aces, each still ranking in the top five of all players in Ole Miss program history. By the time she stepped off the court for the final time, she had the third-most kills, the second-most aces and held the top spot in terms of career digs.
Life After Volleyball
Ahern went on to graduate from Ole Miss in 1990 with a degree in sports management. She wanted to remain in the world of sports and even had an interview with the Chicago White Sox after her graduation.
However, she switched direction to a more behind-the-scenes career, becoming a project manager for Sharp Electronics. In her day-to-day ventures, Ahern helped manufacture and install electrical equipment, which included volleyball scoreboards, around the country.
Long after her time with Ole Miss concluded, Ahern shifted her attention from her work to her health, following a cancer diagnosis. Despite that, Ahern channeled a mindset that she had while competing with the Rebels.
"I don't know a single woman in collegiate sports who is not a born leader, and that carries you through life," Ahern said. "Be a take-charge person. How did I beat cancer? I had to take charge and do it."
Ahern remained stout during her treatment and emerged cancer-free, thanks to her attitude and support she received from family and friends, which included former teammates from her time at Ole Miss that stood strong throughout the years.
When recounting her favorite memories while competing with the Rebels, one factor stood above the rest for Ahern.
"I couldn't do anything without having a great team around me," Ahern said. "You need a great setter to be a great hitter. That is as much a part of it as the individual effort.
"For me, all of my success was due to my teammates. We were so tightknit. It wasn't just us, but all the athletes stuck together. Football, basketball, baseball, we all knew each other. It was one big M-Club."
Comprised of athletes from the 1980's to as recently as 2017, Ole Miss' 1,000-1,000 club honors players who record at least 1,000 tallies in two statistical categories throughout their careers, generally kills and digs, showcasing excellence in both offense and defense.
In 1989, Mary Ahern put together one of the best individual single-season efforts ever seen by Ole Miss volleyball, tallying career highs in nearly every statistical category throughout the campaign. In doing so, she became Ole Miss' second member of the 1,000-1,000 club.
Ahern entered the 1989 season needing just under 300 digs and kills to join former teammate Julie Link Clark in Ole Miss' 1,000-1,000 club. Coming off a junior campaign where she only played in 64 sets, the odds were stacked against her.
However, Ahern tapped into a different gear and easily surpassed the grand marks while passing Link Clark for most digs by an Ole Miss Rebel. Ahern became a staple of head coach John Blair's rotation early in his tenure while helping to further establish Ole Miss volleyball's identity entering the 1990s.
Destination: Oxford
Ahern was part of a dominant team at Palatine High School in Illinois, making recruiting a hot topic between her and her teammates.
"When I went to high school, we all went to Division I programs," Ahern said. "We were stacked in high school, and we all had the same mentality."
Al Givens had just left Ole Miss after a brief stint at the helm, paving a path for John Blair to take over in 1986. When he did so, Ahern was one of the first athletes he sought after. He reached out to Ahern via phone calls and letters, well before the days of the internet had taken over.
Ahern took an official visit to Ole Miss, where she met Cami Jones, who helped convince her that Oxford was the move. Jones, a native of Brawley, California, had committed to Ole Miss prior to Ahern, but the two quickly established a friendship. Ahern decided to go forth with Jones at Ole Miss, with plenty support from the team itself.
The outside hitter established herself as a capable competitor early on as a freshman in 1986. She particularly shined against nonconference opponents, having set a season-high 18 kills against UAB. Alongside Link Clark, Ahern had a special talent for serving, leading the team that season with 71 service aces.
She finished her freshman campaign with 256 kills offensively, good enough for third best on the team. She had a nearly equal output defensively with 258 digs. She helped guide the team, despite her young age, to its 11th consecutive winning season and its first under Blair.
Ahern's momentum continued into the next season despite the overall team struggles. She upped both her kills and digs season totals from her freshman campaign, which included the team's second-highest mark of 289 kills. She had a standout performance against Louisiana-Monroe, setting a then-Ole Miss record 33 digs.
However, things would slow down for Ahern's junior season. She found herself sidelined for nearly half of the season's matches due to injuries. Her absence was felt by the team, which had its fewest wins in a season in program history. Despite that, Ahern still had a solid season when she was on the court.
With 157 kills, she led the team in that stat for the first time in her career. She was able to cement herself as one of the best Rebels in program history at the conclusion of the season, sitting top five in career kills, attempts, aces and digs.
The next season, Ahern, now healthy, had a specific goal in mind.
"I remember having a conversation with coach Blair about wanting to make all-conference," Ahern said. "It was my last chance at getting it."
With her mind set, Ahern set forth on what would prove to be one of the most underrated seasons in SEC history.
She exploded for 568 kills on a .258 attack clip, both of which became Ole Miss sideout scoring era records that would never be topped by a Rebel. Her kill total that season still ranks second in all eras of Ole Miss volleyball. Additionally, her .258 attack percentage is the highest single-season mark among all of Ole Miss' 1,000-1,000 club members.
Not only was she productive on the attack, but her and teammate Michelle Whitby-York became the second and third Rebels to reach 400 digs in a single season. Whitby-York had an incredible 503 at the setter position, while Ahern had an even 400.
With Ahern leading the charge, Ole Miss had reestablished itself as a strong member of the SEC with a 30-12 record. It marked Ole Miss' first 30-plus win season since 1979. While she didn't earn a spot on the All-SEC Team, Ahern did more than enough to cement herself as one of the best players in Ole Miss volleyball history.
She had managed to make the most of her time with the program, finishing her career with 1,270 kills, 1,173 digs and 182 service aces, each still ranking in the top five of all players in Ole Miss program history. By the time she stepped off the court for the final time, she had the third-most kills, the second-most aces and held the top spot in terms of career digs.
Life After Volleyball
Ahern went on to graduate from Ole Miss in 1990 with a degree in sports management. She wanted to remain in the world of sports and even had an interview with the Chicago White Sox after her graduation.
However, she switched direction to a more behind-the-scenes career, becoming a project manager for Sharp Electronics. In her day-to-day ventures, Ahern helped manufacture and install electrical equipment, which included volleyball scoreboards, around the country.
Long after her time with Ole Miss concluded, Ahern shifted her attention from her work to her health, following a cancer diagnosis. Despite that, Ahern channeled a mindset that she had while competing with the Rebels.
"I don't know a single woman in collegiate sports who is not a born leader, and that carries you through life," Ahern said. "Be a take-charge person. How did I beat cancer? I had to take charge and do it."
Ahern remained stout during her treatment and emerged cancer-free, thanks to her attitude and support she received from family and friends, which included former teammates from her time at Ole Miss that stood strong throughout the years.
When recounting her favorite memories while competing with the Rebels, one factor stood above the rest for Ahern.
"I couldn't do anything without having a great team around me," Ahern said. "You need a great setter to be a great hitter. That is as much a part of it as the individual effort.
"For me, all of my success was due to my teammates. We were so tightknit. It wasn't just us, but all the athletes stuck together. Football, basketball, baseball, we all knew each other. It was one big M-Club."
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