Debbie Allen-Cutshall played for legendary coach Susie Toomey, helping the Tornado win four straight Tennessee-Virginia Athletic Conference championships from 1991-94. In those four years, the Tornado amassed a record of 164-36, including a school record 46 wins in 1994.
The 1994 team has also been elected into the King Athletic Hall of Fame, posting a record of 46-9, en route to their fourth straight NCCAA District 2 championship which qualified the Tornado for the NCCAA National Tournament for the fourth consecutive year. The 1994 team took fourth at the NCCAA National Tournament. In both 1991 and 1992, King took third at the NCCAA National Tournament. Allen-Cutshall helped lead the Tornado to their first NAIA District 24 championship in 1993.
From the time Allen-Cutshall walked onto the King campus she began making her impact on the King women’s volleyball program. During her freshman year, she entered the starting lineup as a right side hitter and was honored at the end of her rookie season as an All-TVAC player.
At the beginning of her sophomore year, she moved to the middle hitter position and established herself as a top player in the conference. At only 5-9, she faced middle hitters who were most often four to six inches taller than she was. But incredible timing, strong legs, and an innate blocking ability allowed her to dominate at the net. But her abilities as an outstanding blocker were not the only factor that distinguished her from other players. Allen-Cutshall was dominating as a hitter, taking almost any set and blasting the ball to the floor.
Her serves were consistent, powerful, and perfectly placed on any specified spot on the court. Allen-Cutshall’s incredible talent for passing the ball earned her a primary passer position, which is extremely unusual for a middle hitter. Setting a ball was also no problem, because her ball handling skills were exceptional. Saying that she was an all-around player is an understatement.
As the first King player to be honored as an NAIA All-American and in recognition of her outstanding abilities and contributions to the King women’s volleyball program, her jersey number, 14, was retired following her graduation.
Below is a list of Allen-Cutshall’s career accolades.
NAIA All-American honorable mention - 1994
NCCAA All-American - 1993, 1994
NAIA District 24 Player of the Year - 1993
TVAC Player of the Year - 1993, 1994
All-TVAC - 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994
NCCAA District 2 Player of the Year - 1994
NAIA All-Region - 1994
NAIA All-District 24 – 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994
NCCAA All-District 2 - 1993, 1994
AVCA All-Region - 1993, 1994
NCCAA District 2 All-Tournament - 1994
NCCAA National Tournament - 1993, 1994
