According to an old proverb, bad things come in threes.

Former Owensville Dutchgirl volleyball player Jaime (Diestelkamp) Nelson has officially reversed that saying.

By the time Friday, Oct. 13 rolls around, Nelson will be a three-time inductee of the Columbia College Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of three Lady Cougar volleyball teams that all advanced to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Volleyball Tournament.

Nelson’s previous two inductions came in 2014 as a member of the 2001 Columbia College Lady Cougar volleyball that captured a NAIA National Championship while the other was four years later in 2018 as a member of the 2000 Lady Cougar volleyball team that finished as the NAIA National Runner-Up.

“My teammates and coaches were amazing,” Nelson said. “My other favorite memories of Columbia College volleyball included the places we got to travel and the support of my family.”

Nelson’s head coach Melinda Wrye-Washington also came up in her favorite memories as a CC Lady Cougar volleyball player.

“One of my favorite memories during my time at Columbia College was when on bus rides where I sat on the upside down trash can talking to coach while she drove to keep her awake,” Nelson said.

Named the American Midwest Conference (AMC) Volleyball Coach of the Year during three of the four seasons Nelson was there, Wrye-Washington recalled several instances of Nelson stepping up during her freshman season in when the Lady Cougars won a national championship.

“Jaime was a four-year starter for CC and one of the hardest workers I coached,” Wrye-Washington said. “She played in two National Championships games and would’ve had a third if not for a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during her senior season.”

During her days in Columbia, Nelson was a two-time NAIA All-American Scholar Athlete in addition to being a three-time AMC All-Academic selection.

She still ranks 11th all time in career assist blocks at CC with 205 while also ranking 11th in total blocks all time with 275.

During her days in orange and black back in the late 1990s, Nelson made numerous memories with former Owensville High School head volleyball coach Rick Rechtien and former teammate Jeanette Krupp.

“What an honor for her,” Rechtien said. “My memories of Jamie are all about her wonderful personality, upbeat spirit and her leadership by example.”

Graduating a year before Nelson, Krupp added memories of playing with Nelson during her senior season.

“I’m so happy for her hall of fame induction,” Krupp said. “I just remember her having a positive attitude and always being silly. She played with passion.”