INDIANAPOLIS- The Great Midwest Athletic Conference announced its fourth Hall of Fame Class on Tuesday afternoon. The inductees will be honored at the league’s annual spring awards banquet on May 19 in Blue Ash, Ohio.
The 2026 class will feature former Malone football/ track & field student-athlete Ashton Dulin along with standout volleyball student-athlete from Hillsdale Paige (VanderWall) Hornak.
“We are excited to honor two extraordinary former G-MAC student-athletes in Ashton and Paige,” said Great Midwest Commissioner Tom Daeger. “They have each defined excellence in their own way, setting a standard that extends far beyond the field of play. The Great Midwest is proud to have them each as a member of the 2026 G-MAC Hall of Fame Class.”
Ashton Dulin
During his standout football career at Malone, Dulin established himself as one of the most electrifying playmakers in NCAA Division II. A Don Hansen Football All-American and D2Football.com All-American, he capped off a historic senior campaign in 2018 by earning G-MAC Offensive Player of the Year and Special Teams Player of the Year honors.
That season, Dulin started all 10 games and led the Pioneers in receptions (61), receiving yards (984), yards per catch (16.1), and receiving touchdowns (11). He was equally dangerous in the return game, totaling 836 kickoff return yards and leading all of NCAA Division II with three kickoff return touchdowns. His 1,947 all-purpose yards and 15 total touchdowns underscored his unmatched versatility, while his 194.7 all-purpose yards per game ranked second across all of Division II and led all wide receivers at any NCAA level.
Dulin recorded at least 100 all-purpose yards in every game of his senior season and scored a touchdown in eight contests, delivering explosive performances that included multiple three-touchdown games and a season-high 335 all-purpose yards against Alderson Broaddus. His ability to impact the game in all three phases made him one of the most feared and respected players in the country.
Over the course of his career, Dulin rewrote the Malone record books, finishing as the program’s all-time leader in receptions (189), receiving yards (3,188), all-purpose yards (5,455), and kickoff return touchdowns (3). He also ranks second in receiving touchdowns (28) and third in total touchdowns (34), cementing his place as one of the most accomplished players in school history.
Prior to his senior season, Dulin delivered back-to-back elite campaigns. In 2017, he totaled 1,712 all-purpose yards and 10 receiving touchdowns while averaging 17.8 yards per catch, earning First Team All-G-MAC honors. As a sophomore in 2016, he led the team in receiving categories and posted over 1,200 all-purpose yards, showcasing his emergence as a premier offensive weapon. Even as a freshman, Dulin made an immediate impact, highlighted by an 82-yard touchdown reception on his first collegiate touch.
Beyond the gridiron, Dulin was equally dominant in track and field. A multiple-time All-American, he excelled in hurdles, sprints, and jumps, earning G-MAC Track Athlete of the Year honors and setting conference and school records. His achievements included a top-five national finish in the 60-meter hurdles, conference titles across multiple events, and record-breaking performances in both indoor and outdoor competition.
Dulin’s extraordinary athletic career propelled him to the professional level, where he earned an opportunity in the NFL and went on to continue his football journey with the Indianapolis
Colts.
Paige (VanderWall) Hornak
VanderWall stands alone in G-MAC volleyball history as the conference’s only two-time Player of the Year, earning the honor in both 2017 and 2018. Her dominance extended to the national stage, where she was recognized as a 2017 AVCA Second Team All-American, a 2018 AVCA Third Team All-American, and a 2018 D2CCA Second Team All-American. She was also named the 2018 D2CCA Midwest Region Player of the Year and earned AVCA First Team All-Region honors in both 2017 and 2018.
“Whenever you saw Paige take the court for Hillsdale, you could tell right away what a competitor she was. Then, you'd see her take flight and put a massive spike on the ball and you could tell instantly what a gifted athlete and talented player she was as well,” said Hillsdale College Athletic Director John Tharp. “What set Paige apart was the way her actions and demeanor on the court inspired and brought out the best not just in her teammates, but in all of us watching too. She's truly a special player and person and deserving to be in the Hall of
Fame."
A dynamic and consistent force on the court, VanderWall ranks seventh in Hillsdale program history with 1,293 career kills—an impressive feat made even more remarkable after missing portions of her freshman and sophomore seasons due to an ACL injury. Her resilience and determination defined her career, as she returned to become one of the most efficient and productive hitters in conference history.
VanderWall played a pivotal role in leading Hillsdale to back-to-back G-MAC regular season and tournament championships, compiling a dominant 32-2 conference record during that span. The Chargers also achieved consecutive 25-plus win seasons and earned back-to-back NCAA Division II Tournament appearances, solidifying their place among the nation’s elite programs.
"Paige is just a fearless and driven competitor who refused to let any adversity she encountered slow her down or hold her back,” said Hillsdale head coach Chris Gravel. “From day one, she was all about winning and making everyone around her the best they could be. To overcome what she overcame from an injury perspective and achieve the things she achieved takes a special person with a special mindset, and Paige had all that from the moment she first stepped on the court for us.”
Her 2018 season remains one of the finest in program history. VanderWall averaged a school-record 4.17 kills per set—still the highest single-season mark at Hillsdale—while totaling 417 kills, the fourth-most in a single season. Her career .328 hitting percentage ranks second all-time in G-MAC history, while her 3.60 kills per set ranks fourth, underscoring her efficiency and offensive impact.
Among her many standout performances, VanderWall recorded 27 kills in a four-set match against Ashland on October 13, 2018, tying the G-MAC record for kills in a four-set contest.
Off the court, VanderWall excelled academically, earning Academic All-G-MAC honors in both of her seasons in the conference. She graduated with a 3.6 GPA, earning a degree in Marketing Management with a minor in Graphic Design—further exemplifying her commitment to excellence in all areas.