After becoming a coeducational college in 1972, Loras fielded its' first-ever women's volleyball team in the fall of 1975. Lead by Head Coach Judy Portzen, the Duhawks ripped off one of the most successful four-year periods in program history. In their first season of competition, Loras finished 17-7 with notable victories over Cornell, Wartburg, and the University of Dubuque.
The 1976 season saw the Duhawks take a major step forward in the second year under Portzen, who brought on five new members to complement the seven returners. A year after Loras went 1-4 at the Iowa State Tournament, the Duhawks were crowned champions and earned a berth to the regional tournament. Finishing their second season with a mark of 28-6-1, Loras had quickly made a name for themselves.
Portzen stepped down after two seasons, opening the door for Mary Ann Pankey to take the reigns. Despite a new coach in 1977, the Duhawks showed no signs of slowing down, reeling off 23 consecutive wins to open the season before falling to the College of St. Francis. Unfortunately for the Duhawks, their record-breaking season came to a close at the regional tournament with illness severely impacting the team.
Pankey's time at the helm of the Duhawks was limited to just one season, but the change in leadership once again had little effect on the squad's ability to win games. The 1978 season brought with it plenty of expectation along with a new head coach in Marcy Packer. With a 25-8 regular season record, Loras won all six games of the Iowa State Tournament to win their third consecutive Iowa State Championship. At the regional tournament in Duluth, Minnesota, the Duhawks split their matches, going 3-3 to finish the year at 34-11.
During the first four year's of the program's existence, it took the Loras campus by storm. The level of support the women received from their fellow classmates, faculty, and staff members played a large role in the impact that they had.
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| Marcy Packer | Jodi Waller | MaryBeth Cleary |
| Cathy Gales | Beth Helling | Elaine (Curran) Houser |
| Rhonda (Hoffa) Lerner | Michelle Mihalakis | Michelle Murray |
| Mary (Boyle) Weiler | Julie Westercamp | Mary Ann Pankey |
| Connie (Bandy) Hodge | Patti Kay Desseyn | Denise Webber |
| Julie Kalb | Kathy Gallagher | Jean Hickey |
| Rose (Lux) Oswald | Linda (Steffen) Casteel | Dawn (Griesinger) Swift |
| Judy Portzen | Karen (Hendricks) Bagby | Patrice (Beck) Duffy |
| Sue Gavin | Jean (O'Neill) Gonzalez | Mary Jo Hendricks |
| Kristin (Galliart) Kane | Pat (Brusek) Merryweather-Arges | Karla Schueller |
| Paula Unsen | Jackie (Hart) Weeber | |
