Diana Esterkamp Noles clearly has a special place in the Otterbein women’s basketball program. The Cardinals improved each year that Noles, a native of Cincinnati, was part of the program. She was part of a class at Otterbein that went 72-33 and saw the program post its first 20-win season in school history during her senior year.

Noles is the only player in Otterbein women’s basketball history to tally 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 500 assists in a career. She is also the program’s career leader in assists (674) and also ranks among the top 11 all-time in scoring, rebounding, and steals.

During her freshman campaign in 2000-01, Noles served as the first player off the bench for the 14-11 Cardinals and averaged 5.6 points per game. In 2001-02, the Cardinals improved to 16-10 and Noles started every game, averaging 13.1 points, 6.6 assists, and 5.3 rebounds. Noles was selected second-team All-Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) for her performance that year.

She played an integral part during her junior season as the Cardinals went 19-7. Noles averaged 11.4 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.5 rebounds and was selected first-team All-OAC. Her career culminated with the Cardinals going 23-5 during the 2003-04 season and making it to OAC Tournament championship game. Noles averaged 12.6 points, 8 assists, and 6.1 rebounds, earning first-team All-OAC and an honorable mention All-American selection.

Noles is now the head coach for Otterbein, taking over the program reins in the spring of 2019.