2006 LMU VOLLEYBALL 2006mediaguide
2006 LMU VOLLEYBALL quick facts the university Location: ...... Los Angeles, CA Founded: ...... 1911 Enrollment: ...... 8,300 Nickname:...... Lions Colors: ...... Crimson and navy National Affiliation:...... NCAA Division I Conference:...... West Coast Home Court: ...... Gersten Pavilion Capacity: ...... 4,156 President:...... Rev. Robert B. Lawton, S.J. Athletic Director: ...... Dr. William Husak volleyball staff contents Head Coach: ...... Steve Stratos Stratos’ Office: ...... (310) 338-2765 inside LMU volleyball Stratos’ E-Mail:...... [email protected] 1 2006 season outlook ...... 2 Alma Mater: ...... San Diego State ‘75 Sweet Sixteen appearance ...... 6 Record at LMU: ...... 324-153 (16 seasons) Collegiate Career Record:...... 324-153 (16 seasons) LMU volleyball All-Americans ...... 8 Assistant Coach: ...... Larry Smoot (17th season) Coach Stratos’ Wall of Fame ...... 10 Alma Mater: ...... Long Beach State LMU volleyball Olympian ...... 13 Assistant Coach: ...... Heather Collins (10th season) Gersten Pavilion ...... 14 Alma Mater: ...... UC Santa Barbara ‘96 Strength/Training ...... 16 Assistant Coach: ...... Branden Higa (1st season) Alma Mater:...... Pepperdine ‘98 welcome to LMU 17 About LMU ...... 18 volleyball facts Academics at LMU ...... 20 All-Time Record:...... 462-293 2005 Record: ...... 19-11 Building Champions...... 22 2005 WCC Record: ...... 7-7 (fifth place) LMU Athletics facilities ...... 25 2005 Postseason...... NCAA 1st Round LMU administration ...... 26 2005 Final Ranking ...... NR Staff directory ...... 27 Letterwinners Returning / Lost: ...... 11/5 NCAA compliance ...... 28 Starters Returning / Lost: ...... 5 + libero/2 Newcomers: ...... 5 the 2006 LMU Lions media relations 29 Assistant Athletic Director of Media Services: ...... John Shaffer Steve Stratos, Head Coach ...... 30 Office Phone: ...... (310) 338-7643 Assistant coaches ...... 32 Cell Phone: ...... (310) 864-2626 2006 players...... 34 E-Mail: ...... [email protected] Alphabetical roster ...... 42 Assistant Media Relations Director (volleyball contact):...... Alissa Zito Numerical roster ...... 42 Office Phone: ...... (310) 338-7638 Pronunciation guide ...... 42 Cell Phone: ...... (310) 345-6997 E-Mail: ...... [email protected] Assistant Media Relations Director:...... Carolyn French Office Phone: ...... (310) 338-5798 43 LMU volleyball pride Cell Phone: ...... (310)-261-8470 2005 season review ...... 44 E-Mail: ...... [email protected] All-time record book ...... 48 SID Office Fax:...... (310) 338-2703 Postseason history ...... 54 Hotline / Tickets: ...... (310) 338-LION All-time series records/stat leaders ...... 55 Website: ...... www.LMULions.com Year-by-year results ...... 56 Mailing Address: ...... Athletic Media Relations Office Volleyball’s retired jerseys ...... 60 ...... Loyola Marymount University ...... Gersten Pavilion ...... 1 LMU Drive ...... Los Angeles, CA 90045-8235 61 LMU media information 2006 opponent information...... 62 credits LMU media outlets...... 65 Speed chart ...... 66 The 2006 Loyola Marymount volleyball media guide is a product of the LMU Athletic Media Relations Office... Photography provided by Glenn Cratty, Jeff Golden, Dave Hill, Dirk Dewachter, Scott Cunningham, and Christian Peterson... Film and printing by West Coast Reproductions of Marina del Rey... Inside cover photos courtesy of the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau... Additional copies of this guide are available through the Athletic Media Relations Office for $10.00 each. 2006 VOLLEYBALL 1 2006 LMU VOLLEYBALL
The 2006 Lions: COMING OF AGE
LMU volleyball returns five starters plus its libero. And Lion fans return with hope for a fourth straight NCAA postseason run.
Loyola Marymount University volleyball made its Head Coach Steve Stratos The 2006 LMU Lions third straight appearance at the NCAA Volleyball Championships in 2005. Now, the 2006 Lions Head Coach Steve Stratos completed his 16th The Lions will look to co-captains Sandy Krone and return wanting even more. campaign at the helm of the program with a 16th Heather Hughes to continue the legacy of 16 straight winning season. In his time at LMU, straight winning campaigns that the Class of 2005 2005 Review Stratos has led the Lions to nine 20-win seasons left behind. Hughes, the 2005-06 LMU Co-Female and 11 postseason appearances. Stratos has post- Athlete of the Year and first-team All-WCC selec- The 2005 postseason appearance was LMU’s sev- ed a career record of 324-153, the most victories tion will be the primary option in the team’s enth trip to the NCAAs in the last nine years, and in LMU volleyball history and second among cur- offense at opposite. Krone, the 2005-06 LMU the Lions will look to post another successful sea- rent WCC coaches. In league action, he owns a Female Strength Athlete of the Year, will return as son in the highly competitive West Coast mark of 157-67, good for a winning percentage a strong candidate for the starting job at middle Conference. over .700. With 157 career conference victories, blocker. Stratos again ranks second among WCC coaches. For the 2005 Lions, an at-large invitation to the The 2006 season will see Stratos coach his 500th Newcomers NCAA Volleyball Championship served as proof career match. that LMU was worthy of the attention it received Stratos and his staff will look down the bench to a when the AVCA dubbed it one of its “Rodney Class of 2005 roster that includes five new options in one trans- Dangerfield” teams. The AVCA assigned the nick- fer and four freshmen players. Junior Ashley Dutro name when the Lions did not get the respect they With the departure of graduating seniors Dina joined the LMU program as a transfer from 2005 deserved in the national polls after posting wins DeBernardi, Michelle Look, Krista Houseman, and Big West Co-Champion UC Santa Barbara, where like a pair of road victories over then-ninth-ranked Audrey Francis, the Lions will have some major she was the starting setter for the Gauchos. She Hawaii and 20th-ranked San Diego. Both wins roles to fill. Most notably, the Lions will be without ranked fourth in her conference with 12.00 assists snapped significant winning streaks for the Lions’ the leadership of three-time captain and All-WCC per game in 2005. victims and caught the AVCA’s attention. honorable mention recipient DeBernardi. Along with DeBernardi, who finished her LMU career “In Ashley, we’re getting a two-year veteran who But a tough postseason draw once again awaited ranked in 10 different all-time categories, both has experience playing at a high level of Division I the Lions at the 2005 NCAAs, as LMU was sent to Look (career dig average) and Houseman (season volleyball,” Stratos said. “She has been very suc- Salt Lake City, Utah, in a bracket with Utah State, attack percentage) also worked their way into the cessful and has done a great deal of winning as a Arizona, and host Utah. There, the Lions fell to the LMU record book. starter on a championship team.” host Utes in the first round. continued
2 LMU allgrownup The Lions return a strong core of veterans, including Christianna Reneau, Jania Motton, and captains Sandy Krone and Heather Hughes. The freshman incoming class is highlighted by a pair of standouts in Megan Nash and Becky Stehling. Nash joins the Lions after a high school career at Notre Dame Academy, while Becky Stehling hails from Austin, Texas and Bowie High School.
Nash is a 6-0 middle blocker/outside hitter who earned All-CIF and All- Sunshine League honors each of her four seasons, including selections to the first-teams the last three years. She was named CIF Division III Player of the Year after leading her team to the CIF Division 3A cham- pionship in 2005.
"Megan is a great all-around volleyball player who has a lot of experi- ence, both indoors and on the beach," Stratos said. "She has the abil- ity to play any one of three positions at the net, including outside hit- ter, middle blocker, and opposite. Megan also possesses advanced ball- control skills and could very well develop into a primary serve-receive passer."
Stehling was a three-time first-team all-district and all-conference selection after starting on her varsity team all four seasons. The 6-1 middle blocker was also a two-time All-Centex team selection.
"Becky is a very gifted natural athete," Stratos said. "She is a quick jumper and has an impressive vertical jump. Becky is a pure middle blocker who has the speed to close the block and the explosiveness to become a major offensive threat. She has already developed a variety of attacks which makes it difficult for opponents to defend her."
Morgan Kelly and Tina Moger join the newcomer class after standout high school careers of their own. Kelly was a three-time All-Pioneer League selection and team MVP while at Palos Verdes High School. Moger was named Kauai Interscholastic Federation Player of the Year as a sophomore at Kauai High School.
The 2006 LMU Lineup
The five newcomers join a program that returns five starters plus the libero, losing just two starters to graduation. Though the 2006 Lions were picked to finish fifth in WCC play, Stratos feels the versatility of this year’s players allows the coaches to put the best six players on the floor at one time, and that could mean exciting things for Lion fans.
Middle Blocker
Krone is among the most notable middle blockers on the Lions’ roster, after a strong spring season at the position. That will most likely be the co-captain’s role, although she has shown the coaching staff that she can also play other positions.
Returners Jania Motton, Erin Downey, and Lindsay Banas will likely also see time in the middle this season. When healthy, Motton has had an impact for the Lions in the past, as her play last season earned her a spot on the 2005 Sacramento State All-Tournament team. She leads the returning blockers, averaging .79 blocks per game in 2005.
Downey also stepped up when called upon in 2005, recording season- highs 16 kills and seven blocks in back-to-back matches.
Newcomers Nash and Stehling will also offer their talents at the mid- dle blocker position.
Setter
Lion fans will enjoy the battle on the court for the starting setter job, because no matter what Stratos and his staff decide, they cannot go backformore SANDY KRONE The Lions’ co-captain gives the coaching staff lots of lineup options with her ability to play three positions. wrong. Dutro offers new possibilities after running the offense at con- ference champion UC Santa Barbara last season. But coaches and fans won’t forget the contributions of returning starter sophomore K.C. Walsh, who tallied 995 assists and six double-doubles last season.
While Dutro and Walsh will likely share the majority of the setting duties, Hughes and senior Cat Svorinich may each have turns at the helm of the offense as well. Hughes shared the job with Walsh last sea- son and became the only WCC player to record a statistical triple-dou- ble in 2005, doing it five times. Svorinich saw some time at the posi- tion in the spring and her setting skills caught the attention of the coaching staff.
Outside Hitter
Familiar faces return to the Lions this year at outside hitter. Led by WCC All-Freshman selection Emily Day and Christianna Reneau, the returners give the coaches many strong options outside. Day recorded double-digit kills in 14 of LMU’s final 17 matches. Reneau reached the double-digit kill mark in 20 of 30 matches while leading the Lions in serving percentage (.961).
Other options outside include newcomers Kelly and Nash, and return- ers Downey, Krone, and Motton.
Opposite
Hughes, who shared the setting duties last season with Walsh, will likely return to her full-time role at opposite this season. The first-team all-conference selection is a spark-plug for the Lions, and brings her all- around game to the court for LMU.
Krone, while projected to see most of her time in the middle, also gives the coaches options at opposite.
Defensive Specialist
Lauren Kirk enters the season as the favorite for the libero starting job, after earning the job at the end of her rookie campaign in 2005. She tallied double-digit digs in six matches, including LMU’s final four matches of the regular season.
Another strong option in the backcourt is the senior Svorinich, who brings strong serving skills to the court along with her defensive play.
Returner Kiera Reilly, along with newcomers Moger and Kelly, will also likely see time as defensive specialists for the Lions.
2006 Schedule
Lion fans always see a high-octane schedule for LMU volleyball, and this year will be no different. The Lions will play seven matches against teams ranked in the 2006 AVCA Preseason Top-25 poll. Six of these seven matches will come during WCC play, as the Lions play in one of the top volleyball conferences in the nation. For three straight seasons, at least half of the WCC programs qualified for the NCAA postseason. In 2003 and 2005, the WCC sent five of eight teams to the NCAAs.
“Every year, we attempt to play a high-powered schedule and once again, we feel we’ve accomplished this with our 2006 schedule,” Stratos said. “Beginning with our two tournaments at home and con- tinuing with our competitive conference schedule, fans will experience the best of Division I college volleyball.”
setup HEATHER HUGHES With two true setters in the program, Hughes is expected to see more time at opposite. 2006 LMU VOLLEYBALL
1996 NCAA Volleyball Championship SWEET SIXTEEN Ten years later, the 1996 Sweet Sixteen squad highlights the tradition of postseason play for LMU volleyball.
Ten years ago, members of the current LMU vol- the nod three straight years. He was also named selections Blankinship (21 kills, 11 digs) and leyball team were playing volleyball on the play- the AVCA District Coach of the Year. Noriega (30 kills, four blocks), the Lions fell 3-1. ground for their third grade team. They might have struggled with underhand serving and multi- Kim Blankinship joined Stratos in earning WCC LMU finished the banner 1996 campaign with an plication tables, but they sure looked forward to accolades, as the Lions’ senior was named the overall record of 26-3, winning 16 of its final 17 afternoon snack time. 1996 WCC Player of the Year. matches and 26 of its last 28. The AVCA ranked the Lions ninth in the final 1996 poll, though LMU Also 10 years ago, Loyola Marymount Head Coach Tracy Holman and Sarah Noriega, along with had climbed as high as sixth in the nation during Steve Stratos and the West Coast Conference Blankinship, were All-WCC first-team and AVCA the season. Champion Lions were celebrating the most suc- All-District selections. Holman’s assist per game cessful season in program history. average of 14.32 that season still stands as the Now, 10 years later, the same girls that were play- LMU record 10 years later. Holman (assists, assist ing volleyball in pigtails will be charged with con- The Lions had advanced to the NCAA’s Sweet average), Blankinship (service aces), and teammate tinuing the tradition of LMU volleyball. Now, it’s a Sixteen and finished among the nation’s top-10 in Cindy Weglarz (service ace average) also still hold tradition of 12 postseason appearances and 16 the final AVCA rankings. four all-time career records. straight winning seasons.
Dating back to the 1994 season, the Lions had The Lions finished the regular season 25-2 and racked up 31 straight WCC victories. LMU went a earned a bye in the first round of the NCAAs. A perfect 14-0 in WCC play for the second straight second round win over UC Santa Barbara sent the season in 1996, earning Stratos his third consecu- Lions to the Sweet Sixteen, where they faced a tive WCC Coach of the Year selection. He was the tough Washington State squad. Despite the first coach in the history of the conference to earn efforts of NCAA Pacific Regional All-Tournament
6 LMU 2006 LMU VOLLEYBALL
LMU’s Final National Rankings
1993 24th, AVCA
1995 21st, AVCA
1996 9th, AVCA
1997 17th, AVCA
2000 25th, AVCA
2003 17th, AVCA
1996 NCAA Volleyball Championship Road to the Sweet Sixteen
First Round bye
Second Round defeated UC Santa Barbara 3-1
Sweet Sixteen fell to Washington State 3-1
2006 VOLLEYBALL 7 VOLLEYBALL lmuall-americans Kerry House Tracy Holman outside hitter setter 1989-1990 1994-1997 A 2003 LMU Hall of A 2005 LMU Hall of Fame honoree, House Fame honoree, Holman proved to be one of became the all-time LMU’s great athletes in career assist leader KERRY HOUSE two seasons with the (5,362 assists, 13.24 Lions. A two-time All- apg) at LMU and second WCC first-team selec- in WCC history. After tion, House was the first leading LMU to its third- LMU volleyball player to earn Volleyball straight WCC title as a junior, she earned Magazine All-America honorable mention Volleyball Magazine All-America honorable accolades. She still ranks first among LMU’s all- mention accolades. She was a four-time All- time leaders in career dig average (4.89 dpg), WCC first-team selection and started her season dig average (5.36 dpg - 1990), single- career as the 1994 WCC Freshman of the Year. season attacks (1,898 - 1990) and digs (740 - Holman was honored on the AVCA All-West 1990). Following her senior campaign, House Region second-team in 1994 and the All- was also honored as LMU’s Female Scholar- District VIII team in 1996. Upon graduation, Athlete of the Year. Her career dig average still she was named the WCC and LMU Female ranks third all-time in the NCAA record book. Scholar-Athlete of the Year, an honor she also earned at LMU in 1996-97.
Julie Greer Kelli Nerison middle blocker middle blocker 1992-1995 2001-2004 Following her senior sea- A breakout upperclass- son, LMU’s Julie Greer man career earned became the second Nerison AVCA honor- women’s volleyball ath- able mention All- TRACY HOLMAN lete to earn Volleyball America honors in 2003 Magazine All-America and 2004, making her honorable mention acco- just the second Lion to lades. In 1995, Greer receive the national dis- ranked 15th in the nation in attack percentage tinction in back-to-back seasons. Collegiate (.388) and led the team in block average (1.15 Volleyball Update named the two-time All- bpg). Greer also earned All-District VIII honors WCC first-team selection one of the top five and was named WCC Co-Player of the Year as middle blockers in the nation in 2004. Also a a senior. two-time first-team AVCA All-Region pick, Nerison was a two time WCC All-Academic pick and finished her career setting 10 new program records.
Kim Blankinship outside hitter 1993-1996 Blankinship led LMU to three WCC champi- onships and NCAA post- season appearances. Following her senior campaign, she was named to the Volleyball Magazine All-America third-team and became the third athlete in pro- gram history to earn such an honor. In 1996, Blankinship was also named WCC Co-Player of the Year after garnering Defensive Player of the Year accolades as a junior. Blankinship was honored as the LMU Female Athlete of the Year upon graduation in 1996. 2006 LMU VOLLEYBALL
Sarah McFarland Sarah Noriega SARAH MCFARLAND outside hitter outside hitter 1997-2000 1994-1997 McFarland, a three-time Described by many as All-WCC first-team “one of the top players selection and two-time in the country” during LMU Female Athlete of her career at LMU, the Year (1999-2000, Noriega elevated stan- 2000-01), became the dards for the future of first athlete in program LMU women’s volleyball history to earn AVCA All- in her four seasons with American honors in consecutive seasons (1999, the Lions. In 1997, Noriega became the first 2000). She led the nation in kills for the second player to earn AVCA All-America first-team straight year, posting an incredible 762 kills in honors as well as Volleyball Magazine All- 2000. McFarland’s single-season kill total is America second-team accolades. She was the tops in the LMU and WCC record books. Her WCC Player of the Year in 1997 after being 6.43 kill per game average still ranks first in named an All-WCC first-team selection for the NCAA history. She had a 52-kill performance at third consecutive season. Noriega was a three- home against No.14 Ohio State on Sept. 10, time All-District VIII honoree, LMU’s Female 1999, a mark that came just four shy of the Athlete of the Year (1997-98), a participant at NCAA five-game record of 56 kills and led her the U.S. Olympic Festival (1995), a World to her first of two career AVCA National Player Games participant, and 2000 Olympian. In her of the Week awards. Overall, she holds five final year as a Lion, Noriega was recognized as NCAA national records, the most by any one the AVCA National Player of the Week twice player. (Oct. 6 and Nov. 10). On November 7, 1997, Noriega set the NCAA record for most kills in a four-game match with 47 against San Diego, a mark which still stands today.
SARAH NORIEGA
McFarland’s Career Statistics Year MP/GP Att Kills Err Pct Ast SA SE RE Digs BS BA TB BE 1997 13/23 73 28 15 .178 2 0 0 0 9 0 3 3 4 1998 26/91 1020 480 159 .315 37 31 64 4 207 4 52 56 12 1999 31/102 1642 750 269 .293 23 31 63 8 276 12 48 60 13 2000 29/98 1670 762 229 .319 25 18 42 19 327 10 44 54 13 Total 99/314 4478 2020 672 .301 87 80 169 31 819 26 147 173 42
Noriega’s Career Statistics Year MP/GP Att Kills Err Pct Ast SA SE RE Digs BS BA TB BE 1994 10/17 38 10 15 -.132 3 2 6 0 15 1 5 6 0 1995 29/98 699 326 97 .328 36 25 48 1 111 14 78 92 7 1996 29/103 1010 496 163 .330 50 49 65 2 170 23 83 106 11 1997 26/89 1272 614 209 .318 30 39 46 1 183 8 86 94 4 Total 94/157 3019 1446 484 .319 119 115 165 4 479 46 252 298 22 2006 LMU VOLLEYBALL coachstratos’walloffame
LMU Head Coach Steve Stratos holds high standards of excellence for his teams and play- ers. One way to recognize his former players as exceptional athletes is with the Wall of Fame, which continues to grow in his office. Reaching the wall is not easy, with the mini- mum requirement for admittance being named first-team All-WCC or AVCA All- Dana Bragado (1989-1992) earned first-team Kerry House (1989-1990) was a two-time Region. From all-conference to All-American, All-WCC during her senior season, leading the All-WCC first-team selection and became the the Wall currently showcases 15 athletes. The league in hitting percentage at .379. She still first LMU player to earn Volleyball Magazine 15 were named first-team All-WCC a com- ranks among the school’s top 10 in seven sta- All-America honorable mention. She ranks bined 31 times. Among them are seven All- tistical categories. Following her LMU career, first among LMU’s all-time leaders in career Americans, three WCC Players of the Year and Bragado went on to a very successful career on and season dig average, single-season attacks seven AVCA All-Region honorees. the AVP circuit. and digs. After her senior year, House was also honored as LMU’s Female Scholar- Athlete of the Year.
Deanna Doolittle (1990-1993) was named Julie Greer (1992-1995) was a two-time first- Mardell Wrensch (1992-1995) was a WCC first-team All-WCC following her sophomore team All-WCC selection in 1994 and 1995 and first-team selection for three consecutive sea- season after earning All-WCC freshman team following her senior season, became the sec- sons. She was voted team MVP twice and accolades in 1990. She holds the school record ond LMU athlete to earn Volleyball Magazine named the LMU Student-Athlete of the Year as with 1,440 career digs and is fifth all-time with All-American honorable mention accolades. In a junior. Wrensch holds the school's all-time 1,274 kills. 1995, Greer ranked 15th in the nation in single season record for attack percentage attack percentage (.388) and led the team in (.422). She also ranks among LMU's top 10 in block average (1.15 bpg). Greer also earned eight other categories. All-District VIII honors and was named WCC Co-Player of the Year as a senior.
10 LMU 2006 LMU VOLLEYBALL
Kim Blankinship (1993-1996) was named to Tracy Holman (1994-1997) set the all-time Sarah Noriega (1994-1997) became the first the Volleyball Magazine All-America third-team career LMU assist record with 5,362. Holman Lion to earn AVCA All-America first-team hon- after her senior season. Blankinship was also garnered Volleyball Magazine All-American ors, as well as Volleyball Magazine All-America. named WCC Co-Player of the Year after gar- honorable mention accolades after her junior She was the WCC Player of the Year in 1997, nering the Defensive Player of the Year in season. She was a four-time All-WCC first- after being named All-WCC first-team for the 1995. She was honored as the LMU Female team selection and 1994 WCC Freshman of the third straight year. She was named LMU’s Athlete of the Year in 1996. Year. She was named the WCC and LMU Female Athlete of the Year and was a United Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 1998, an States national team member, becoming the honor she also earned at LMU in 1996-97. third Lion to participate in the Olympics.
Karissa Meith (1995-1996) earned first-team Sarah McFarland (1997-2000) is a two-time Kristen Gallup (1999-2002) posted 4.81 kills All-WCC as a senior. Her 109 block assists, All-American, while also being named the per game, which ranked second in the confer- 1.30 block average, and 134 total blocks in school’s Female Athlete of the Year twice. She ence and 15th in the nation earning first-team 1996 still rank in the season records’ top-five. was a three-time first-team All-WCC and All-WCC honors in 2001. As a senior, she led She averaged 3.42 kills per game as a senior. AVCA All-Region selection. She led the nation the Lions in total kills, attacks, kills per game, in kills for the second straight year posting an digs and service aces. incredible 762 kills in 2000. McFarland’s single- season kill total is tops in the LMU and West Coast Conference record books, while her kill average is an NCAA record. Overall, she holds five NCAA national records, the most by any one player. 2006 VOLLEYBALL 11 2006 LMU VOLLEYBALL coachstratos’walloffame
An All-WCC first-team selection for three Tiana Newsome (2000-03) completed her One of only two freshmen to be named to the straight seasons, Kealani Kimball (2000-03) four seasons owning almost every LMU all-time AVCA All-Region team in 2000, Nicole completed regular season play in 2003 as a blocking category, as she was the career leader Oehlman (2000-04) earned second-team All- leader in several WCC categories: digs (4th), in solo blocks, block assists, and total blocks. A WCC honors that season as well. Her 13.41 kills (6th), service aces (12th), and hitting per- 2002 first-team All-WCC honoree, Newsome assist per game average ranked her 25th in the centage (23rd). She is just the fourth Lion to averaged a team-high 1.44 blocks per game, nation and second in the WCC. Oehlman surpass both the 1000 kill and the 1000 dig which was second in the WCC and tied for went on to earn All-WCC honorable mention milestone. 18th in the nation. recognition in each of her next three seasons.
A breakout upperclassman career earned Kelli Nerison (2001-04) AVCA honorable mention All-America honors in 2003 and 2004. Collegiate Volleyball Update named the two- time All-WCC first-team selection one of the top five middle blockers in the nation in 2004. Also a two-time first-team AVCA All-Region pick, she was a two time WCC All-Academic KELLI NERISON pick and finished her career setting 10 new program records. 2006 LMU VOLLEYBALL lmu’s2000sydneyolympian
s a member of the U.S. National Volleyball played in 144 games and led team USA in kills team that qualified for the 2000 Olympics (409), blocks (82) and aces (28). She was named Ain Sydney, Australia, Sarah Noriega became team MVP for her efforts that season. As a mem- the third Lion to participate in the Olympic Games. ber of the 2000 Olympic squad, Noriega finished Noriega became a key member of the U.S. the summer fourth on the team with 185 kills and National team in 1998. In her inaugural year with a .393 kill percentage. Her serves wreaked havoc the team, she played in 68 games and tallied 191 for opponents throughout the Summer Games as kills on 498 attacks. She also added 26 aces and her 17 service aces ranked second best on the 43 stuff blocks. Noriega had an even better soph- team. omore season with the national team, as she
Q&A with Olympian Sarah Noriega
LMU: What was your favorite Olympic LMU: What were some of the academic sup- moment? port services available to you at LMU? SN: I have so many, but I think the opening cer- SN: Going from high school to collegiate aca- emonies was the most memorable. It was so demics was a big adjustment for me, but easy incredible being able to represent my country in access to helpful staff and materials helped me a the greatest sporting event in the world. The great deal. I frequently took advantage of the feeling of first stepping foot on the field after Learning Resource Center where I met with advi- coming through the tunnel is indescribable. Then sors. The LRC helped me tremendously and was seeing the Olympic flame lit topped the whole able to set up personal tutoring whenever I experience off. It is something I will always cher- needed it. ish. LMU: How did playing at LMU help you LMU: Why did you choose LMU? reach your goals of being an All-American SN: LMU, Texas and Nebraska were the three and an Olympian? main schools I had narrowed my decision down SN: First and foremost, being in a safe and pro- to. LMU seemed like the best fit for me because ductive environment allowed me to relax and I got along with the players and coaching staff feel comfortable to give my best effort. I owe the the best. LMU's academics played a big factor, as majority of my success to Coach Stratos and to well as the location of the school. I wanted to Coach Smoot. They were the ones who recog- experience LA, and this was the best way I saw nized the potential of a skinny girl and took a to be able to do that. chance in developing her into a great athlete. LMU: What did you like about the local area They constantly supported, encouraged and surrounding LMU? challenged me. They worked so hard to help me SN: I came from a small midwest town so mov- realize my dreams. I owe them big time! ing to Los Angeles was a little intimidating at LMU: Is there anything you would change first. LMU’s location, though, is perfect. Not only about your playing career? are you minutes away from the beach cities, air- SN: There have been times in my career when I port, and major freeways, but you have the haven’t enjoyed playing and experienced some peace and tranquility of the school itself and its terrible moments. At the time I wished I could surrounding residential community. LMU is locat- change things or that I didn’t have to endure ed in a small, safe community, but close enough those bad times, but in retrospect I needed to to the things that make college memorable. experience them. It was those moments of self LMU: What were the academic advantages doubt, fatigue, mental and physical exhaustion of attending LMU? that helped me to learn more about myself. I SN: I liked that LMU offered the opportunity to think that every athlete experiences moments not only know my peers, but to develop rela- like that; but it’s athletes that choose to perse- tionships with the professors as well. I never felt vere through those times that succeed and excel. like I was just a number in an auditorium full of So, in short, no I wouldn’t have changed any students. LMU and its sister schools stem from a part of the road that I have traveled. I know that long tradition of academic excellence, therefore, there are still many more obstacles and I hope I allowing the university to be connected with the have learned enough to endure and overcome top personnel in nearly every field of study it those challenges as well. offers. 2006 LMU VOLLEYBALL
Home of the LIONS A new court surface and sound system are among the most recent reasons the Lions are fortunate to call Gersten Pavilion home.
ne of Southern California’s medical facilities and is the home site of leyball championship team) and 2003 premier athletic facilities, all indoor athletic events including (NCAA 2nd round appearance) squads OAlbert Gersten Pavilion begins women’s volleyball and men’s and have been the most successful with 14- its 24th year as home of the Loyola women’s basketball games. 1 marks, for .933 winning percentages. Marymount Lions. Since opening night, The volleyball Lions first moved into One of the largest regular season the Pavilion has become one of tough- the facility in 1982 and recorded 14 crowds gathered just two seasons ago est places to play in the West Coast wins in Gersten’s inaugural season. in 2004 to see LMU top local rival Conference. Under Head Coach Steve Stratos, the Pepperdine 3-1 in West Coast The 63,000-square foot facility Lions have posted an overall record of Conference action. With 1,142 fans in boasts a functional design, featuring 155-53 (.745) in the friendly confines of attendance, it was the largest Gersten rounded columns at each corner, sepa- the Pavilion. In conference play, the Pavilion crowd since LMU hosted the rated by mirrored glass. It houses the record is even more impressive with an playoffs during the 1996 Sweet Sixteen athletic programs’ extensive weight 86-27 (.761) home record in WCC season. rooms, state-of-the-art training and action. In 24 years, the 1996 (WCC vol- Built to accommodate the 1984
14 LMU 2006 LMU Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, the Pavilion served as the host site for the weightlifting competition of the Games. More than 1,000 people were involved with the staging of the event which attract- ed the largest number of weightlifting competitors in the history of the Olympics. More than two million people were brought into the Pavilion through television, radio, newspapers and wire services that attended the competition. Prior to the Olympics, Gersten was the site of the McDonald’s Gymnastics Classic in 1983, featuring the best male and female gymnasts from the United States and the former Soviet Union. In 1991, the Pavilion was the venue for the men’s and women’s volleyball and boxing prelimi- naries at the U.S. Olympic Festival. It has been host to top basketball camps in the country, hosting LMU alumnus Pete Newell and his Big Man’s Camp for NBA players. It has served as one of the official practice homes of the L.A. Lakers and L.A. Clippers, and continues to welcome visiting NBA franchises. The Pavilion also hosted Kiki Vandeweghe’s Individual Instruction Camp with some of the best in the NBA participating. Gersten Pavilion was named in honor of Albert Gersten, father of LMU regent Albert Gersten, Jr., a 1974 LMU graduate. The Gersten fami- ly was the largest single donor to the construction project. Positioned just to the east of the University gates, the entire LMU Athletic and Recreation Complex includes Gersten Pavilion, George C. Page Baseball Stadium and Pride Park, Smith Softball Field, Sullivan Soccer Field, and the Burns Recreation Center and Aquatics Complex.
stratos’ teams in gersten pavilion overall conference Year W L Pct. W L Pct. 1990 8 5 .615 6 2 .750 1991 6 3 .667 5 2 .714 1992 10 5 .667 6 1 .857 1993 8 3 .727 6 1 .857 1994 10 3 .769 7 0 1.000 1995 12 2 .857 7 0 1.000 1996 14 1 .933 7 0 1.000 1997 8 3 .727 5 2 .714 1998 10 1 .909 6 1 .857 1999 9 5 .643 4 3 .571 2000 8 2 .800 5 2 .714 2001 7 7 .500 3 4 .429 2002 11 4 .733 4 3 .571 2003 14 1 .933 6 1 .857 2004 12 4 .750 5 2 .714 2005 8 4 .667 4 3 .571 totals 155 53 .745 86 27 .761 2006 LMU VOLLEYBALL strengthtraining STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING ATHLETIC TRAINING The strength and conditioning program at Loyola The busiest place per square foot on the campus of Marymount University has become a primary piece Loyola Marymount University is not what one in its quest to Building Champions. The program would think. It is not LMU's on campus commons has taken a huge step into become one of the top area, the Lair, University Hall or the LMU bookstore. strength and conditioning programs with the new It is the LMU Athletics Training Room. direction established by Head Strength Coach Rick Right around 1,000-square feet, the LMU train- Stassi and Assistant Strength Coach Todd Sutker. ing room at any given moment in season is what Under the direction of Stassi and Sutker, LMU Head Athletics Trainer Keith Ellison calls "organized strength and conditioning will make a huge step and controlled chaos." In the height of its busiest into becoming one of the top programs in the time of the year, when all 18 LMU NCAA Division I nation as they have formed a partnership with sports are in action, the Training Room can make a Frappier Acceleration Sports Training (FAST). “FAST casual onlooker dizzy. is by far the top speed and power training program However, Ellison, his three full-time assistants, in the world,” said Stassi. Joe Gonzalez, Beth Drayer, Gary Dyogi and 15 stu- FAST is a complex and systemic curriculum that dent assistants make it look easy. brings together key components of improved In his 16th-year at LMU and 10th as the Head speed, agility and overall athletic performance. Athletics Trainer, Ellison and his staff have turned staff Throughout the training period, specific attention is the LMU training room into a model for the school's give to spring mechanics, neuromuscular coordina- main conference affiliate, the West Coast tion, muscle physiology, anaerobic and aerobic con- Conference. ditioning for the specific purpose of improving per- "This is a great place to be because of the peo- formance. ple," said Ellison, who graduated from LMU in More than 200,000 athletes around the world 1987. "The fulltime staff we have here is the best in from the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL have participated the conference. We have the right personalities for in the program. Some of the professional athletes LMU and they all genuinely care and are concerned who use the system regularly are Heather Mitts about the student-athletes, not just for their injuries (Professional Soccer Player), Jason Kreis and sports they play, but for each person as a Keith Ellison (Professional Soccer Player), Dan O'Brien (Olympic whole. Head Athletic Decathlon Athlete), Cris Carter (All-Pro Wide On a given day, the Athletics Training Room will Trainer Receiver), Shaun Alexander (Seattle Seahawks), see about half of the 325 student-athletes at LMU. Darin Erstad (Anaheim Angels) and Brett Hull A given day will include lots of paperwork, therapy (Detroit Red Wings). for student-athletes recovering from injuries that The partnership with Frappier includes their state- keep them out of competition, appointments with of-the-art equipment and training techniques. doctors and pre- and post-practice needs. “With the Frappier Acceleration Program, all of the "Our mission is to eliminate the chance for student-athletes here at LMU will reach their genet- injury. We stress the use of ice and strength and ic ceiling for speed, quickness and strength,” said conditioning to reduce the risk of injury. Thus, the Stassi. traffic in our training room can get very heavy With the program in place, Stassi and Sutker have throughout the day," said Ellison, who has been Rick Stassi Joe Gonzalez developed goals for the student-athletes that imple- busy this year. "We have had a lot of different Head Strength Assistant Athletic ment a plan to advance each athlete. The develop- injuries with many different teams. Because of that Coach Trainer ment of each athlete is focused so they may reach we have had a lot of traffic in our training room their athletic potential. The training through doing rehab and doing the normal stuff to prepare Frappier's program will be enhanced through prop- for practice or games." er training in strength, conditioning, flexibility, agili- In addition to providing the best care available in ty, nutrition and rest. The program assesses each the nation to LMU athletes, the training program athlete's strengths and weaknesses in those areas services the needs of its opponents in a first class and customizes each program to meet individual manner and provides an opportunity for students in needs. the field of athletic training to earn valuable experi- Like the rest of the LMU campus where individual ence. attention is the norm and not the exception, With more than 50 years of experience in the strength and conditioning strives on that philoso- field, the Training Program provides services that Todd Sutker Beth Drayer phy. With the programs in place, the staff works includes a philosophy that places a high value on Assistant Strength Assistant Athletic with the athlete and the coaches to give specialized health and wellness, a program that allows injured Coach Trainer individual attention to ensure proper growth for the student-athletes to return to their sport as soon as athlete and the sport. medically safe and to substantially reduce the risk of Every workout is supervised with daily attention athletic injury for those student-athletes. given to the athlete to assure progression. The pro- The Training Room at LMU features state-of-the- grams are also designed to limit injury to the stu- art equipment in a 1,000-square foot sports medi- dent-athlete while in action. cine complex. The equipment includes whirlpools, The strength and conditioning program will get a paraffin bath, ultrasound, muscle stimulation and major upgrade to its equipment this year thanks to hydrocalators. the arrangement with Frappier. The Lions will con- tinue to work in the nearly 1,000-square foot facil- Gary Dyogi ity in Gersten Pavilion. In addition, the student-ath- Assistant Athletic letes workout in the 8,000-square foot weight and Trainer fitness training facility within the Burns Recreation and Aquatics Center, which opened in 2000.
16 LMU lmuwelcome to 2006 LMU VOLLEYBALL
What do you know about LMU? The mission of the Loyola Marymount University Athletics Department is to provide an environment for student-athlete development that supports the pursuit of the highest level of success athletically and academically for the growth of the whole person in the tradition of the Jesuit and Marymount ideals.
Maybe that we’re the only Catholic Or that our five colleges, all connected At LMU, we inspire you to take ideas University in Los Angeles and one of the to Los Angeles, enable students to make apart and learn how they fit together. world’s renowned Jesuit institutions, a current contacts in technology, business, You’ll test your limits, forge enduring group that includes 28 U.S. universities politics, art, music, and naturally, the friendships, promote justice and and over 100 schools worldwide. entertainment industry. become a contributing citizen of the Or that Loyola Marymount University Yet there’s something more to consid- world. has been called a Hidden Gem by the er. If you’re looking for a place to Our curriculum is broad and deep. Our Washington Post and ranked among the acquire facts and skills that will help you pace is demanding. Our expectations Best in the West by U.S. News & World get along in the world, you have many are high. Our plans are ambitious. And Report. choices. But if you’re looking for a place we’re looking for curious, accomplished, Or that our serene campus, overlook- where God fits in, a place that honors enterprising, visionary students eager ing Marina del Rey, offers one of the faith as well as reason, Loyola to... most exhilarating academic locations Marymount University may be the place embrace the challenge anywhere. for you.
18 LMU 2006 LMU VOLLEYBALL whatit’sabout
IT’S ABOUT THE SUPPORT somefacts Throughout an LMU education, students enjoy • The highly diverse student population includes near ly 700 Asians, nearly 400 African Americans, and the support of instructors who know each indi- about 1,000 Latinos vidual by name and who make classes challeng- • Thirty percent of the University's first-year students ing, fascinating and fun. Class sizes are 13 to 1 had a high school GPA of 3.8 or better (based on 2005-06 freshman class) and give each student a chance to exceed even • The student-faculty ratio is 13 to 1 their own expectations. • Altogether, students received about $65 million in financial aid, including $25million allocated by LMU • Founding Communities: Society of Jesus (Jesuits); IT’S WHO YOU ARE WITH The Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary Looking for camaraderie? When it comes to (Marymount Sisters); The Sisters of St. Joseph of providing friends and mentors, you won’t find a Orange (CSJ) • Faculty: full-time faculty (Fall 2004) -- 403; total full- university surpassing LMU. The campus popula- time and part-time staff -- Westchester 709; Law tion comes from all 50 states and 70 countries. School campus- 130 Better still, LMU offers more than 100 extracur- • Student Housing: 20 Residence Halls for 3,282 ricular organizations that hone the students skills and help them find like-minded colleagues for life.
Whatever the religious belief, the university pays attention to individual spirit. “I’ve thought a lot about what makes my friends at college different than those from high school, and I’ve realized that the people at LMU live up to the mission of being men and women for others,” said a sophomore. Students are free to examine faith in social or service activities.
IT’S WHERE YOU LIVE Every fall, nine out of 10 first-year students take advantage of LMU housing and for some very good reasons. Some of the benefits of LMU liv- ing are simple: an active social scene, meal plans that allow students to dine at various campus locations, and easy access to classes and campus facilities. But university housing offers much more than simple convenience, it also give students an edge. As a resident, stu- dents are immediately plugged into programs that help them achieve better grades, meet new friends, develop professional contacts and grad- uate in a timely manner.
IT’S WHERE YOU’RE BOUND “We’re trying to get rid of you,” so professor Kelly Younger, who directs the Honors Program, likes to tell LMU students. He’s referring to the study abroad opportunities, scholarships, internships, academic conferences and compe- titions that take students off campus and into the world. When it comes time to graduate, students will have the knowledge, the confi- dence, and the strength of spirit to achieve any- thing the students can imagine. 2006 LMU thecolleges
VIEW TO A PROMISING FUTURE
The Chronicle of Higher Education notes that at Jesuit institutions, this precept “translates into a large amount of individual attention from faculty members and accessibility to high-level administrators, including the president.” At LMU, students don’t simply benefit from cura personalis; they practice it, too, carry- ing out the Jesuit ideal of “men and women for others.” The Marymount sisters contribute a history of educating women and teaching through the arts, with a deliberately international perspective that encourages respect for all cultures. LMU brings these gifts together in five colleges: Business Administration, Communications and Fine Arts, Film and Television, Liberal Arts, and Science and Engineering.
• At LMU, real-world experiences benefits any discipline-even literature. Students in the BELLARMINE COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS don’t just read Jack Kerouac. They go on the road. English professor Kelly Younger explains: “I teach a course called Road Read in which we study not only the literature of Los Angeles and California, but also the city itself as text. After reading Nathanael West’s The Day of Locust, we take a walking tour of downtown L.A., focusing on the architecture of the 1920s and 30s. We read Kerouac’s Big Sur and drive up the coast, spending a week reading, writing and programs of study sharing on the intellectual adventure. The following are the majors available in the Colleges of Liberal • Under the direction of award-winning entrepreneurship Arts, Communication & Fine Arts, Business Administration, professor Fred Kiesner, for instance, students in our COL- Science & Engineering and the School of Education: LEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION participate in an internship program that places them with social entrepre- Accounting Irish Studies neurs who are working to better society. “More and more, African American Studies Italian students are saying, ‘Hey, I can use my abilities to do good Animation Latin for others by doing business,” said Kiesner. Archaeology Leadership Art History Liberal Studies • From their first year, engineering majors in our COLLEGE OF Asian and Pacific Studies Liberal Studies - Elem. Edu. SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING address real-world design Asian Pacific American Studies Management challenges, like devising plans for improving LMU’s traffic flow. Athletic Training Marketing “The project takes a lot of creativity and some pretty complex Biochemistry Mathematics (Pure/Applied) problem-solving,” says associate dean Tom Calder. “During Biology Mathematics Education students’ presentations, we’ve had the University’s V.P. for Business Administration Mechanical Engineering facilities sit in to listen to their ideas and offer professional Business Law Modern Greek feedback.” Chemistry Multimedia Chicana/o Studies Music • Students in the SCHOOL OF FILM AND TELEVISION pro- Civil Engineering Natural Science duce their own short films and TV pilots, with acting and Classical Civilization Operations Management music often supplied by student performers from our COL- Classics Peace Studies LEGE OF COMMUNICATION AND FINE ARTS. When our Communication Studies Philosophy talent pool can’t accommodate them, Hollywood can. “For my Computer Engineering Physics junior thesis, I teamed up with two other people to make a Computer Information Systems Political Science two-part, 10-minute sitcom,” says a TV production major. “We Computer Science Pre-Dentistry developed an idea and asked a senior in screenwriting to write Dance Pre-Journalism a script. When it came to casting, we ran an ad in Backstage Economics Pre-Law West and received 300 head shots. It was like a real casting Electrical Engineering Pre-Medicine audition.” Elementary Education Pre-Optometry Engineering Physics Pre-Pharmacy English Pre-Physical Therapy HONORS PROGRAM Entrepreneurship Pre-Podiatric Medicine • The University Honors Program provides an intensive and Environmental Engineering Pre-Veterinary Medicine innovative academic experience for the serious student. The Environmental Science Psychology program combines four interdisciplinary University Honors Ethics Recording Arts core courses with an intensive year-long sequence in writing, European Studies Science Education critical thinking and American Cultures. A second year-long Film Production Screenwriting sequence in the history of civilization and a course in natu- Finance Sociology ral philosophy are also a part of the curriculum. All honors French Spanish students are required to display proficiency in a foreign lan- General Science Studio Arts guage, take an upper-division ethics course, an interdiscipli- German Television Production nary seminar in the junior year and a senior thesis. Interested Greek Theatre Arts students should apply to the University Honors Director. History Theological Studies Human Resource Management Travel and Tourism Humanities Urban Studies Individualized Studies Women’s Studies International Business
20 LMU 2006 LMU VOLLEYBALL academicsupport academicexcellence The Student-Athlete Academic Center exists to support all student-athletes in Examples from the 2005-2006 academic year of the their goals of getting a degree on time, maintaining athletic eligibility, and excellence LMU student-athletes epitomize: preparing for life after LMU. The Academic Center provides guidance and counseling from the moment a recruit first walks on to the campus to the • 148 National Scholar-Athletes (minimum 3.0 GPA in 15 units or more) moment a student-athlete graduates. • 13 WCC All-Academic selections • 2 LMU Presidential Citation winners TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE • 2 first-team CoSIDA District VIII LMU has a proud reputation of academic excellence among its student-ath- All-Academic selections letes. In the past few years the LMU Athletics Department has been in the • 2 second-team CoSIDA District VIII highest percentile of the APR (Academic Performance Rate) scale among all All-Academic selections schools in NCAA Division I. According to the 2005 NCAA Graduation Rate, the LMU Athletics Department posted a rate of 88 percent for all student-athletes who exhausted their eligibility and a rate of 71 percent for those student-ath- letes who received athletics aid.
ACADEMIC SERVICES The Academic Center and support staff are housed in Gersten Pavilion, pro- viding academic support for the 350-plus athletes in 21 sports. The Academic Center includes a study area and desktop computers for student-athlete use. The staff consists of the academic coordinator and academic assistant, who monitor the progress of student-athletes, ensure timely graduation, and assist in degree preparation. In addition, the academic support staff offers a variety of other services, including:
• Major Requirements • Priority Registration • Study Hall • Tutorial Services • Laptop Checkout for Team Travel • Information about Awards/Scholarships • Life skills and Developmental Workshops/Speakers • Leadership and Mentoring opportunities staff
The Athletics Department is committed to ensuring every student-athlete reaches their full potential in the classroom. Each student-athlete is required to be enrolled in 15 units per semester and is asked to keep a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA. Each team can increase the department standard depending on the philosophy of the coach.
AT-RISK STUDENTS If a student falls below a 2.5 GPA during a given semester they are required to meet weekly with a member of the academic support staff and attend study Matt Casaña hall the following semester. To help students in need, tutorial services through Academic the Learning Resource Center (LRC) may be recommended by the advisor or Coordinator [email protected] requested by the student.
FIRST YEAR STUDENTS All first semester student-athletes are required to meet weekly with a member of the academic support staff to ensure they get off on the right track at LMU. In addition, they are expected to attend study hall for a minimum of 4 hours weekly, in 2 hour blocks. Students are encouraged to form study groups here with fellow student-athletes. Finally, first year students are required to take a one-unit class, LIBA 125, Foundations of Academic Achievement. Taught by the Academic Coordinator, Matt Casaña, this class serves to foster important Chris Hatch lessons in students such as time management, college nutrition, and study Graduate Assistant skills. [email protected]
2006 VOLLEYBALL 21 2006 LMU VOLLEYBALL buildingchampions
The Lions of Loyola Marymount University were officially Three Lions earned All-WCC, a program first. Freshman Brian named kings of the West Coast Conference as they claimed Locke won the WCC individual title, another first, claiming the fifth-annual Commissioner's Cup - an all-sports award pre- WCC Player of the Year and WCC Freshman of the Year hon- sented at the end of each academic year to the league's top ors. The Player of the Year is the program's first. Top-half finish performing school in conference play. The Lions compete in 12 No. 6. of the 13 sports sponsored by the WCC and in the 2005-06 • Women's tennis topped 56th-ranked San Diego in the WCC year LMU went on to finish in the top half of the conference in Tournament Semifinals as the Lions went on to finish second in nine of those 12, winning the conference title in women's row- the WCC. Top-half finish No. 7. ing and men's golf. • Women's rowing needed a win in the final event, the Varsity 8 race, of the 2006 WCC Championships to earn its first-ever The recipient of the Commissioner's Cup is based on a point WCC title. They came through with a convincing win over system reflecting the place finish of each team in conference nine-time WCC Champ Gonzaga. Top-half finish No. 8. play. A Men's and Women's All-Sports Award, recognizing ath- • Baseball needed just one win in the final series of the season letic achievement within each gender, is also presented. The to clinch the Commissioner's Cup for the Lions. They came Men's and Women's All-Sports Awards are given to the schools through big as well, earning a series sweep to finish fourth in that accumulate the most points within each particular gender. the WCC. Top-half finish No. 9. The institution with the highest point total after combining the • The Lions' non-WCC programs also came through big. In its men's and women's point totals will be honored with the first year of competition, the women's track team saw Laura Commissioner's Cup. Mickelson advance to the NCAA Championships in the 5000- meter. Men's water polo earned their third straight conference Men's golf and women's rowing went on to propel the Lions crown and fourth in five years as they finished third at the to the top of the Commissioner's Cup, winning the respective NCAA Championship. Women's swimming set a program programs their first-ever WCC title. Both Alex Galvan, head record for wins, going 9-5 in dual competition. coach of the men's golf program, and Patrick Kelly, head coach of women's rowing, went on to lead their alma mater to the The Commissioner’s Cup is just an ever growing tradition of conference crown and earn Coach of the Year honors in the champions over nearly 100 years of competition. LMU has BO KIMBLE WCC. The magical season of the men's golf season continued grown considerably over the years and offers a diverse range of as they competed for the national championship at the 2006 21 varsity sports, 18 of which compete at the Division I level NCAA Men's Golf Championships. within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Twelve sports, including baseball, men's and women's basket- The 2005-06 season was filled with highlights for the Lions, ball, women's crew, men's and women's cross country, men's here are a few: golf, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's tennis and women's volleyball, compete in the prestigious West Coast • Women's volleyball finished the season 19-11 and advanced Conference. to its third straight NCAA appearance, 10th overall in program history. In addition, women's swimming participates in the Pacific • Women's cross country earned the program's best finish ever, Collegiate Swimming Conference and men and women's claiming second in the WCC Championships. The first of nine water polo compete in the Western Water Polo Association. programs to earn a finish in the top half of the conference Women's softball competes in the Pacific Coast Softball standings. Conference while the newly formed men’s and women’s track • On the same day, the men's cross country team also equaled program (added in 2006) is an independent to round out the its best finish, taking third place at the WCC Championships. 18 programs competing at the NCAA D-I level. Men's crew is The second program to finish in the top half. affiliated with the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association • Men's soccer was the third program to finish in the top half and the LMU cheer program was added as a varsity sport in with a fourth place finish, while the women's basketball team 2005. advanced to the WCC Tournament semifinals for The success of Lion Athletics has never been stronger, claiming 1986 COLLEGE WORLD SERIES the fourth straight year some of its crowning moments since 2000. Since the start of and finished the WCC 10- the 21st century, the Lions have sent 23 teams to the NCAA 4 and in third place. The tournament while winning 17 conference championships in fourth program to finish the process. With the success, 41 individual student-athletes in the top half. have earned All-America honors since 2000. • The men's basketball team equalled its best Traditions of championships has been set from the beginning. conference finish since One of the most memorable runs in NCAA history was that of 1992 and 1996 at second the Paul Westhead lead men's basketball programs from 1985- place and advanced to its 1990. The Lions won two WCC tournament titles, and two first WCC tournament regular season titles. As the Lions set the all-time NCAA championship game in 17 Division-I record with 122.4 points per game in 1990, it was years under first-year the people that made the Lions special. head coach Rodney Tention. Top-half finish What Bo Kimble, Hank Gathers, Jeff Fryer and the rest of the No. 5. up-tempo Lions did for the men's basketball team continued a • Men's golf got the long-standing tradition of a basketball legacy at LMU. Two spring championship sea- Loyola basketball alumni, Pete Newell and Phil Woolpert, have son off to a great start been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, with its first WCC title. Massachusetts. Newell coached the 1960 U.S. Olympic bas- 2006 LMU VOLLEYBALL ketball team to a gold medal and led California to the just one Lion to make an appearance in the Olympics. lmuhighlights 1959 NCAA Championship. Woolpert coached the This past 2004 Summer Olympics former and three- WOMEN’S BASKETBALL University of San Francisco to the 1955 and 1956 NCAA time men's volleyball All-American Reid Priddy burst on WCC Championships: 2004 Championships and a 60-game win streak, the second the international scene and led the U.S. Men's NCAA Appearance: 2004 longest in college basketball history. Volleyball team. Women's water polo players Rachel NIT Appearance: 2001 Riddell and Christine Robinson both played for the WOMEN’S ROWING Speaking of championships, Bob Boyd, former Loyola Canadian National Team in the Olympics and current WCC Championships: 2006 football and track great, captured the 1950 NCAA women’s water polo player Katie Hicks made the U.S. 1980-81 Varsity Four National Champions men's track championship in the 100-yard dash. He National Team roster in 2006. 1985-86 Varsity Four National Champions later played seven seasons as a tight end for the NFL's Los Angeles Rams, and led them to the 1951 World Over 95 years ago, the Lions began Building WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY Individual NCAA Championships: title. Champions.The work continues in 2006-07. 1980 (AIAW) Terese Kozlowski 17:34.9 (National Champion) The 1980s saw LMU's athletic success propel to the Individual WCC Champion: national and international level. Just four years after 2001 Edit Pakay - 17:58 1991 Gina Eron - 19:15 pitching the LMU baseball team to the 1986 College World Series, Tim Layana was a vital member of the WOMEN’S SOCCER 1990 World Series Champion Cincinnati Reds. Five NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2002 members from the 1986 LMU team eventually played in the major leagues. SOFTBALL WISL Championships: 1996, 1999, 2000 PCSC Championship: 2003, 2005 Like Boyd in the NFL and Layana in MLB, many former SARAH NORIEGA NCAA Appearance: 2005 LMU student-athletes have gone on to the next level in their respective sports. Entering the 2006-07 season, 14 WOMEN’S TENNIS WCC Championships: 2002 Lions currently play professional baseball, including cur- NCAA Tournament Appearances: 2002 rent major leaguers C.J. Wilson with the Texas Rangers and Billy Traber with the Washington Nationals. WOMEN’S TRACK Additionally, four men's soccer players have played in Individual NCAA Regional Appearance: the MLS the last four years, including Arturo Torres play- 2006 Laura Mickelson (5,000-meter) 17:16.59 (4th) ing for Chivas USA. Sara Mickelson (5,000-meter) 17:51.09 (13th) Over the years, six former women's volleyball players Individual NCAA Championship Appearance: have played professionally, including 2000 Olympian 2006 Laura Mickelson (5,000-meter) 16:43.61 (22nd) Sarah Noriega. The 1996 first-team All-American was WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL WCC Championships: 1986, 1994, 1995, 1996 NCAA Tournament Appearances: 1986, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005 NIVC Tournament Appearances: 1990, 1992
WOMEN’S WATER POLO WWPA Championships: 2001, 2002, ALL-AMERICAN IAN ELLIOTT 2003, 2004, 2005 NCAA Appearances: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
BASEBALL lion all-americans(since 1990) WCC Championships: 1973, 1986, 1990 2000 Michael Erush (MSOC - JSR 1st-team) 1990, 1998, 1999, 2000 Bo Kimble (MBB - 2nd-team) Reid Priddy (MVB - 1st-team) Endre Rex-Kiss (MWP - 2nd-team) NCAA Appearances: 1973, 1986, 1988, 1989, Hank Gathers (MBB - 2nd-team) Scott Walter (BASE - 2nd-team) 1990, 1998, 1999, 2000 Kerry House (WVB - HM) Billy Traber (BASE - 2nd-team) 2004 College World Series: 1986 Sarah McFarland (WVB- 1st-team) Teresa Guidi (WWP - 1st-team) 1995 Kevin Witt (MWP - 3rd-team) Devon Wright (WWP - 2nd-team) MEN’S BASKETBALL Julie Greer (WVB- HM) Stacia Peterson (WWP - HM) WCC League Championships: 1961, 1988, 1990 Billy Lockin (BASE - JSR 1st-team) 2001 WCC Tournament Championships: 1988, 1989 1996 Lucy Windes (WWP - 2nd-team) Matt Kovar (MSOC - 3rd-team) Diego Barrera (MSOC - freshman 3rd- NCAA Appearances: 1961, 1980, Kim Blankinship (WVB - 3rd-team) Kevin Witt (MWP - 2nd-team) 1988, 1989, 1990* Tracy Holman (WVB - HM) Kevin Paulsen (MWP - HM) team) NIT Appearances: 1986 Stephen Lipinski (MWP - HM) Endre Rex-Kiss (MWP - 2nd-team) 1997 Kelli Nerison (WVB- HM) Sarah Noriega (WVB - 1st-team) 2002 MEN’S CREW Devon Courtney (WWP - 3rd-team) 2005 1992 Light Weight Four 1998 Lucy Windes (WWP - 2nd-team) Stacia Peterson (WWP - 2nd-team) Pacific Coast Champions Reid Priddy (MVB - 2nd-team) Teresa Guidi (WWP - 2nd-team) Rachel Riddell (WWP- HM) Robert Schildts (MVB - 3rd-team) Sean Smith (BASE - freshman 1st-team) Vanessa Glendenning (WCR - HM) MEN’S GOLF Scott Walter (BASE - freshman 1st-team) Joe Frazee (BASE - freshman HM) Endre Rex-Kiss (MWP - 2nd-team) WCC Championships: 2006 Mike Schultz (BASE - freshman 1st- Billy Lockin (BASE - JSR 1st-team) Ian Elliott (MWP - HM) NCAA Regional Appearance: 2006 team) Andres Murriagui (MSOC - 1st-team) Brian McShane (MWP - HM) NCAA Championship Appearance: 2006 Ryan Beaver (BASE - freshman HM) Arturo Torres (MSOC - 3rd-team) WCC Individual Champions: Jeff Kovar (MSOC - Academic 1st-team) 2006 2006 - Brian Locke Brian Locke (GOLF - HM) 1999 Kevin Witt (MWP - 3rd-team) MEN’S SOCCER Reid Priddy (MVB - 2nd-team) Liz Stewart (WCR -2nd-team) Christine Robinson (WWP - 3rd-team) NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2001, 2002, Billy Traber (BASE - HM) 2003 2003, 2004 Curt Fiore (BASE - 3rd-team) Teresa Guidi (WWP - 2nd-team) Katie Hicks (WWP - HM) Sarah McFarland (WVB - 2nd-team) Rachel Riddell (WWP - 3rd-team) Tracy Sharp (WSOC - HM) Katie Hicks (WWP - HM) MEN’S WATER POLO Kelli Nerison (WVB - HM) WWPA Championships: 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005 Kevin Novak (MSOC- HM) NCAA Final Four: 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005 * shared title, lost tiebreaker for bid to NCAAs 2006 VOLLEYBALL 23 2006 LMU VOLLEYBALL lmuathleticshalloffame MULTI-SPORT Kimble, Bo ...... 2005 ...... 1990 VOLLEYBALL PLAYER INDUCTED GRAD Kriste, Vide J...... 1988 ...... 1940 Blankinship, Kim ...... 2007 ...... 1996 Adams, Milton “Sparky”...... 1993 ...... 1937 McDonald, Edwin “Scotty”...... 1987 ...... 1939 Fort, Andrea ...... 1991 ...... 1987 baseball, football, ice hockey, track & field McKenzie, Forrest ...... 1991 ...... 1986 Holman, Tracy...... 2005 ...... 1998 Agamenoni, Aldarico ...... 1994 ...... 1937 Newell, Pete ...... 1986 ...... 1940 House, Kerry ...... 2003 ...... 1991 football, ice hockey Philyaw, Luther ...... 1987 ...... 1976 Lacour, Cheryl...... 1988 ...... 1983 Boyd, Bob ...... 1986 ...... 1950 Smith, Keith ...... 2000 ...... 1986 McFarland, Sarah ...... 2007 ...... 2000 boxing, football, track & field Smith, Stephen J...... 1991 ...... 1973 Petrissans, Catherine ...... 1992 ...... 1988 Boyle, Hugh ...... 1989 ...... 1943 Woolpert, Phil...... 1986 ...... 1940 Wohlford, Leslie ...... 1993 ...... 1989 baseball, basketball Yoest, Mike...... 1994 ...... 1988 Wrensch, Mardell ...... 2005 ...... 1996 Brubaker, Harry “Bud” ...... 1989 ...... 1932 basketball, football BASEBALL TEAMS Donahue, Bernard...... 1986 ...... 1930 Bean, William “Billy” ...... 1992 ...... 1986 1969 Football ...... 2003 baseball, basketball, football Bradberry, Miah ...... 2000 ...... 1990 Club National Champions Donovan, Maurice E...... 1991 ...... 1942 Kerslake, Bob “Whitey” ...... 2007 ...... 1958 1981 Women’s Crew ...... 1986 baseball, basketball, golf Layana, Timothy ...... 1992 ...... 1986 National Champion - Lightweight-4 Shell Duvall, Al ...... 1986 ...... 1936 Logelin, Dr. Michael G...... 1991 ...... 1970 1990 Men’s Basketball ...... 2005 football, track & field McAnany, James E...... 1993 ...... 1987 Elite Eight/WCC Champions Hoffman, Leo ...... 1986 ...... 1930 Napolitano, Anthony...... 2005 ...... 1993 1986 Baseball ...... 2007 baseball, football Noah, Russ ...... 1986 ...... 1973 College World Series Hovland, Carl ...... 1992 ...... 1939 Sheldon, Robert ...... 1986 ...... 1972 basketball, football, baseball, tennis Stone, Jerry...... 1986 ...... 1974 COACHES/ADMINISTRATORS Jelmini, Dean ...... 1987 ...... 1973 Buckley, Terry ...... 2005 ...... 1957 baseball, football CREW/ROWING season ticket holder Karagozian, John ...... 1994 ...... 1933 Hjelm, Karen (Hock) ...... 2000 ...... 1981 Casassa, Rev. Charles S., S.J...... 1988 baseball, football, ice hockey Formento, Merri Lisa ...... 1991 ...... 1980 University President (1949-69) Kelly, Roger ...... 1986 ...... 1939 Drager, Hub ...... 1986 baseball, football, golf, track & field CROSS COUNTRY athletic administration (1949-80) Nocerine, Dominic ...... 1986 ...... 1937 Kozlowski, Therese ...... 1986 ...... 1982 Fortner, Nancy...... 1994 basketball, football, ice hockey, track & field women’s volleyball coach (1980-86) Polich, John ...... 1986 ...... 1938 FOOTBALL Higgins, Rev. Thomas P., S.J...... 1991 football, ice hockey, track & field Acquarelli, Harry ...... 1988 ...... 1938 golf coach (1970-2001) Quinn, Brian ...... 2000 ...... 1964 Alker, Guerin P ...... 1991 ...... 1950 Jones, Arthur ...... 2003 ...... 1950 basketball, baseball, administration Andorka, Bela J...... 1991 ...... 1939 basketball trainer, season ticket holder Race, Edward ...... 1993 ...... 1937 Brito, Gene ...... 1986 ...... 1951 Kilp, Rev. Alfred J., S.J...... 1987 football, ice hockey Cheatham, Ernie...... 1986 ...... 1952 athletic administration (1956-1963) Sanchez, Jamie ...... 1993 ...... 1975 Currin, Paul...... 1986 ...... 1929 Lieb, Tom ...... 1987 football, tennis Donahue, Burch A...... 1988 ...... 1943 football and ice hockey coach (1930-38) Sunderland, Paul...... 1986 ...... 1975 Ferris, Neil G...... 1991 ...... 1951 Malone, Rev. Lorenzo, S.J...... 1987 basketball, volleyball Giancanelli, Harold “Skip” ...... 1989 ...... 1951 athletic admin., golf coach (1933-55) Tunney, James...... 1989 ...... 1928 Klosterman, Don ...... 1986 ...... 1952 McIssac, Don ...... 1986 baseball, basketball, football Lauermann, Willard “Bill” E...... 1988 ...... 1932 rugby coach (1960-1980) Musacco, George ...... 1987 ...... 1951 McKenna, John...... 1992 BASKETBALL Nipp, Maury ...... 1987 ...... 1952 football coach (1949-51) Adelman, Rick ...... 1986 ...... 1968 Snyder, Frederick ...... 1992 ...... 1952 Merrifield, Rev. Donald P., S.J ...... 1989 Arndt, John ...... 1986 ...... 1952 University President (1969-84), Baker, Dick ...... 1993 ...... 1956 SOCCER Chancellor (1985-2002) Bento, Ed ...... 1986 ...... 1962 Sharp, Tracy ...... 2007 ...... 2000 Needles, James ...... 1987 Brown, Garnette ...... 1987 ...... 1957 basketball coach, football coach (1936-1940) Brown, Sherri ...... 2003 ...... 1994 TENNIS Neri, Jerry ...... 1989 Donovan, Bill ...... 1986 ...... 1950 Anderson, Kristi ...... 2003 ...... 1989 assistant football coach (1949-51) Flanagan, Lynn ...... 2000 ...... 1991 Crawford, Roger ...... 1994 ...... 1982 Oliver, Jordan ...... 1987 Fryer, Jeff ...... 2007 ...... 1991 Delgado, Debbie ...... 1994 ...... 1985 football coach (1949-51) Gathers, Hank...... 2005 ...... 1990 Patridge, Carolyn B...... 1991 ...... 1980 Westhead, Paul...... 2000 Grote, Jerry ...... 1986 ...... 1962 men’s basketball head coach (1986-91) Haderlein, Jim ...... 1986 ...... 1971
24 LMU 2006 LMU lmuathleticsfacilities The athletic facilities at Loyola Marymount University have seen a lit- tle of everything in the almost 70 years while in its current Westchester location. From the 1984 Olympic games to LMU bas- ketball to the World Cup and everything in between, the LMU ath- letic facilities have become home to the best. The complex continues to grow and improve with each year. The facilities include Albert Gersten Pavilion, George Page Stadium, Sullivan Field, the Burns Recreation and Aquatics Center, the Jane Bove Boathouse, Smith Field, the LMU Tennis Complex, which includes the George P. Kading and Morris A. Pivaroff Tournament Court completed in 2004, and the Thomas Higgins Short Game Center, a pracitice facility for the golf program. Also completed in 2004 was the addition of Pride Park, the new entrance to baseball’s Page Stadium Joining the family of facilities the past year was SMITH FIELD, home to the LMU softball team, and the HIGGINS SHORT GAME CENTER for the golf team. Smith Field is complete with inset dugout, state-of-the-art score- board, natural grass seating for more than 500 and batting cages. The short game cen- ter is a pitch and putt practice facility behind the centerfield fence of Smith Field. It includes a pair of bunkers and plenty of space for putting at different angles. The existing centerpiece to the LMU athletics facilities is ALBERT GERSTEN PAVILION, entering its 25th year as the home to LMU’s indoor athletic events. howtogethere Hosting men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball, the Pavilion has seen its share The Loyola Marymount University campus is located in Westchester at of memorable moments. One came as the men’s basketball team posted a 16-game One LMU Drive, approximately four miles north of the Los Angeles winning streak that spanned three seasons from Feb. 25, 1987 through Nov. 28, 1988. International Airport. There are two entrances to the campus, the main On Feb. 20, 1988, during the winning streak, Gersten set the attendance record with entrance off of Lincoln Blvd. on LMU Drive. The other entrance, which a standing room only crowd of 4,525 in a 142-127 win over rival Pepperdine. serves the Athletic Complex, is off Loyola Blvd. and 80th Street. Built to accommodate the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, the Directions are for the main entrance. Those seeking handicap parking must Pavilion served as the host site for the weightlifting competition. It is named in honor use the main entrance. of Albert Gersten, father of Albert Gersten, Jr., a 1974 LMU graduate. Now in its 24th season as the home of Lion baseball, GEORGE C. PAGE STADIUM From the Los Angeles International Airport: has established itself as one of college baseball’s most unique ball parks. The park con- Travel north on Sepulveda Blvd. Remain in either of the left two lanes tinues to distinguish itself thanks to the recent addition of Pride Park. However, the and merge onto Lincoln Blvd. Follow Lincoln Blvd north past biggest enhancement came in 2001 with the Mikos Blue Monster, a new wall in left Manchester Blvd. Turn right onto LMU Drive. You can get a parking field that contains a manual scoreboard, complete with out of town scores reminiscent pass from the guard at the front gate. to Boston’s Fenway Park. The wall was built thanks to a gift from Paul Mikos ‘66. The BURNS RECREATION AND AQUATICS CENTER opened in the fall of 2000 From the 405: and has become the home of some of the best water polo in the NCAA. The Olympic Travel on 405 North, exit on Jefferson Blvd., and turn left (from size pool is part of the $18-million Burns Rec Center, and serves as the home venue for north)/right (from south). Head west and make a left onto Lincoln Blvd. men’s and women’s water polo and women’s swimming. Showing that it is one of the Head south and turn left into the campus on LMU Drive. You can get finest facilities in the country, LMU hosted the Men’s Water Polo NCAA National a parking pass from the guard at the front gate. Championships in December of 2002 and will host the championship once again in December of 2006. Throughout the last decade, SULLIVAN FIELD has been host to some of the best in soccer from around the world. With the development of the soccer program at LMU, Sullivan Field has become one of the top facilities in the soccer-rich WCC. Sweden, Italy and Argentina used Sullivan during the 1994 FIFA World Cup, and four years later, the field was used as a practice site for the World Cup exhibition Gold Cup Tournament. The LMU Tennis Center grew to six courts in 2004 with the KADING AND PIVAROFF TOURNAMENT COURT, the centerpiece of the facility. A new Daktronics scoreboard was added to the facility in 2006. Completed in 2002, JANE BROWNE BOVE BOATHOUSE is the only athletics facil- ity not on the grounds of the Westchester campus. The facility includes two boat bays, a work area, an office, a new dock and restrooms. The boathouse is part of beautiful Marina del Rey, Calif. Conditions are generally ideal. The water is protected within the marina, temperatures are nice throughout the year and boat traffic is low. More is on the horizon. In 2005, the Athletics Department was included as part of a major LMU campaign that will ensure that LMU Athletics will Build Champions well into the future. Follow LMULions.com for the latest on the newest LMU facilities. NCAA WATER POLO CHAMPIONSHIPS Loyola Marymount will host the 2006 National Collegiate Men’s Water Polo Championship at the Burns Recreation and Aquatics Center on Dec. 2-3. The best in the nation will descend on the campus of LMU and you can be a part of it. For tickets and information on attend- ing the water polo championships, call (310) 338-6095 or go online at www.LMULions.com.
2006 VOLLEYBALL 25 2006 LMU VOLLEYBALL administration UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR Rev. Robert B. Lawton, S.J., was named the Dr. William S. Husak begins his ninth year as 14th president of Loyola Marymount University the Athletics Director at Loyola Marymount on June 1, 1999. Father Lawton leads LMU into University. Since taking over the program in 1998, the next millennium after serving as the dean of LMU has reached a new level of success. While Georgetown College at Georgetown University the Lions’ success has been some of the best in since 1989. program history, Husak firmly believes the pro- Lawton, a classicist, scripture scholar, admin- gram has “just scratched the surface.” istrator, and priest, was born in Cumberland, His administrative efforts have focused on Maryland, and entered the Society of Jesus in developing a team of coaches, support staff and July 1965. administrators who believe that LMU’s athletics Possessing a wealth of experience in both university teaching and admin- program can be among the elite in the nation. This period of time has been istration, Fr. Lawton comes to LMU after giving 20 years of service to marked by enhancing the support of the athletic teams through the creation Georgetown University. Serving as the assistant Dean from 1984-89, Fr. of the Student-Athlete Academic Center and the Lions’ Strength and Lawton also taught in the Theology department as an adjunct assistant pro- Conditioning Center, increased scholarship and operational support and fessor during that period. He started at the University in 1977 as an assistant enhancing the coaching and support staff. professor of Theology and worked in that capacity until 1979. The past eight years have been some of the most successful seasons in He earned his bachelor of arts degree in classics from Fordham University school history as the Lions won over 57 percent of its dual competitions in that in 1971, graduating Phi Beta Kappa (summa cum laude). Fr. Lawton went on span and claimed the school’s first ever Commissioner’s Cup. Since 1998, LMU to attend Harvard University where he completed his doctorate in Near has claimed 20 conference championships and 26 NCAA postseason appear- Eastern Languages and Civilizations in 1977. Fr. Lawton was a Danforth and ances. Off the field, the Lions have had a 50 percent increase in national schol- Woodrow Wilson Fellow at Harvard. He was ordained in 1981. ar-athletes as 148 claimed the honor in the 2005-06 academic year. Following his preparation for ordination from 1979-81, Fr. Lawton trav- Husak attributes the current success and the future growth of the program eled to Germany to conduct independent study in both German and theolo- to the staff that is in place. Since he took over the program, the coaching and gy. In 1982, he accepted an assistant professorship teaching Hebrew and administrative staffs that lend support to the more than 375 student-athletes Aramaic at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, Italy, a post he held until has more than doubled in size. A full-time head coach will lead 19 of the var- 1984. sity sports sponsored at LMU. When Husak took over, only nine of the pro- In addition to his teaching and administrative duties at Georgetown, Fr. grams were led by full-time coaches. Lawton served on numerous campus committees examining such areas as In addition, support for the student-athletes was enhanced with the addi- campus planning, student life, freshman and transfer student admissions, and tion of eight brand new staff positions, which included an athletic academic community relations. Outside of the University he has served as a member of coordinator, marketing/promotions manager, corporate relations manager, the Board of Trustees of the University of Scranton and Fairfield University. two assistant athletic trainers, a strength and conditioning assistant coach and Father Lawton holds the rank of professor in LMU’s Departments of an assistant media relations director. Theological Studies and Classics. Husak comes from a long and accomplished background as an adminis- trator, fundraiser and professor during a 19-year career at California State University, Long Beach. Between 1993-1998, he served as the Senior Associate Athletics Director and was mainly responsible for Athletics fundrais- ing. While at CSULB between 1983 and 1997, Husak served as an assistant originof”lions” commissioner for the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Although its origin is somewhat clouded, the Lion mascot has been syn- Between 1986 and 1993 he served as chairman of CSULB's physical education onymous with Loyola Marymount University for more than 70 years. department. As an associate professor of physical education at CSULB According to the October 5, 1923 edition of the school newspaper, the Los between 1979 and 1986, he established the university's Motor Behavior Angeles Loyolan, the Lion mascot was suggested by an enthusiastic fan after Laboratory. A 1972 graduate of State University of New York (SUNY) at 1919 when St. Vincent’s College became Loyola College. Noting the Loyola Cortland, Husak holds a master's degree and Ph.D. in Physical Education from football players’ fierce competitiveness, that fan described the Loyola players Texas A&M University. He and his wife of 33 years, Tish, live in Long Beach and as Lions. The name did not generate too much popularity and the Loyola ath- have three sons, Greg, Todd and Jon. letic nickname remained “Loyolans” until 1923. At that time, the article explains, the college wished to inspire new pride in its athletes and fans. Noting the success of nicknames for other colleges, Loyola College opted to give the “Lions” nickname a rebirth. Calling the old Lion mascot “mistreated and forgotten,” the article lmufightsong explains that the Lion would offi- cially find its way into all college songs and cheers. The Lion has Fight on Loyola, remained firmly entrenched in Loyola lore to this day. Fight to win! An alternative origin story Roar on you Lions, traced the nickname to the abun- Roar again! dance of actual mountain lions which roamed Westchester when Keep up the spirit born of old, Loyola College moved here in Our loyalty will ne’er grow cold! 1927. The area remained widely unpopulated and teemed with Fight on Loyola, wildlife when the school moved We’re all here atop the bluffs. School officials reportedly adopted the nickname Backing you with a cheer! because mountain lions inhabited We’re beside you, the area when ground was bro- ken. Here to guide you So Fight! Fight! Fight!
26 LMU 2006 LMU VOLLEYBALL athleticsstaff
ACADEMICS directory ACADEMIC COORDINATOR ADMINISTRATION Matthew Casana ...... 338-1736 DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS ACADEMIC ASSISTANT Dr. William Husak ...... 338-2765 Chris Hatch ...... 338-1736 SENIOR ASSOC. DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS Betty Werner ...... 338-7483 STRENGTH & Rob Anderson Maria Behm Addie Casey Director Associate AD Office Supervisor OFFICE SUPERVISOR/CAMPS CONDITIONING/TRAINING LionsFund Business Affairs Camp Co-Coordinator Addie Casey...... 338-1736 COORDINATOR ATHLETIC MEDICINE SENIOR SECRETARY/CAMPS Keith Ellison...... 338-2874 Faith Sauerwald ...... 338-4504 ASSISTANT ATHLETICS TRAINERS SENIOR SECRETARY Joe Gonzalez ...... 338-2764 June D’Amour ...... 338-1743 Beth Drayer ...... 338-2340 Gary Dyogi...... 338-5220 BUSINESS STRENGTH COACH June D’Amour Carolyn French Jason Hanchar ASSOC. ATHLETIC DIR./BUSINESS AFFAIRS Rick Stassi ...... 338-5796 Corporate Relations Senior Secretary Asst. Director María Behm...... 338-7645 ASSISTANT STRENGTH COACH Media Relations Manager CORPORATE RELATIONS MANAGER Todd Sutker ...... 338-5796 Jason Hanchar ...... 338-5201 BUSINESS AFFAIRS ASSISTANT FACILITIES Robyn Millen ...... 338-2953 Shane Howell - Manager ...... 338-7641 Shelton Lorick ...... 338-7641 COMPLIANCE & ELIGIBILITY Angelo Rawles...... 338-7641 ASSOC. ATHLETIC DIR./ COMPLIANCE Karina Handeland Shane Howell Shelton Lorick Dan Smith ...... 338-7789 HEAD COACHES Assistant AD Athletics Facilities Athletics Facilities Marketing/Tickets Manager COMPLIANCE ASSISTANT Bonnie Adair, swimming ...... 258-4685 Brianna Johnson ...... 338-3706 Nik DeVore, men’s tennis ...... 338-7589 Frank Cruz, baseball ...... 338-2949 MEDIA SERVICES Gary Ferrin, softball ...... 338-7651 ASST. ATHLETIC DIR./MEDIA SERVICES Alex Galvan, golf ...... 258-8619 John Shaffer ...... 338-7643 Scott Guerrero, cross country..338-7630 ASST. MEDIA RELATIONS DIRECTORS Pat Kelly, crew ...... 338-7624 Alissa Zito ...... 338-7638 Paul Krumpe, men’s soccer ....338-7640 Brian Luft Robyn Millen Angelo Rawles Assistant AD Business Affairs Athletics Facilities Carolyn French...... 338-5798 John Loughran, water polo ....338-1844 Development Assistant Gregg Murphy, women’s soccer338-2795 MARKETING/TICKETS Jamie Sanchez, women’s tennis338-7506 ASST. AD/TICKETS & MARKETING Steve Stratos, volleyball ...... 338-4528 Karina Handeland ...... 258-8608 Rodney Tention, men’s basketball...... 338-7623 TICKET OFFICE Julie Wilhoit, women’s basketball ...... Heather Herkenhoff ...... 338-5466 ...... 338-7699 Carla McAloney ...... 338-5466 Faith Sauerwald John Shaffer Dan Smith Senior Secretary Assistant AD Associate AD Ticket Office ...... 338-6095 ATHLETIC FAX NUMBERS Camp Co-Coordinator Media Services Compliance Administration ...... 338-4577 DEVELOPMENT Aquatics ...... 338-3796 ASST. ATHLETIC DIR./DEVELOPMENT Basketball ...... 338-7644 Brian Luft...... 338-7853 Coaching Staff...... 338-5915 DIR. FOR ANNUAL SUPPORT Compliance ...... 258-4628 Rob Anderson ...... 338-2908 Training Room ...... 338-5191 Media Relations ...... 338-2703 Betty Werner Alissa Zito Senior Associate Asst. Director Athletics Director Media Relations 2006 VOLLEYBALL 27 2006 LMU VOLLEYBALL iwanttoplayforlmu... GENERAL INFORMATION ON NCAA COMPLIANCE What do I need to do in order to play at LMU as a fresh- year (after July 1), coaches may also accept collect calls from you, man? using our toll-free number (1-800-LIONS-R-1). In men's basket- If you intend to participate in Division I or II athletics as a fresh- ball ONLY, coaches may accept a toll-free call from you no earlier man, you must register and be certified by the NCAA Initial- than the conclusion of your sophomore year in high school. Eligibility Clearinghouse. You can register by going on-line on the internet at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net. You will need a major RECRUITING CALENDARS credit card to complete the registration. The registration fee is Keep in mind that every sport has a different recruiting calendar. $50 for domestic prospects ($75 for foreign prospects). When A coach in a particular sport may or may not be permitted to call you're finished, print out the registration form, sign it and present you during certain times of the year. When you do speak to a col- it to your high school counselor. They will send the form along lege coach, be sure to ask about the recruiting calendar so you with an official copy of your high-school transcripts to the NCAA understand when you can accept phone calls from college coach- Clearinghouse for processing. Additionally, you must arrange for es. You can also find the recruiting calendars for all sports on-line official SAT or ACT scores to be sent to the Clearinghouse direct- at www.ncaa.org. ly by the testing agency. This can be done on-line at the testing agency's website. If you have questions, you or your high school OFF-CAMPUS CONTACTS counselor can obain assistance by calling the NCAA In all Sports Other Than Football and Basketball Clearinghouse toll-free at 877-262-1492. After graduation and A college coach is permitted to contact you in person off the col- before the school closes for the summer, your counselor must lege campus only on or after July 1 after the completion of your send the Clearinghouse a copy of your final transcript that con- junior year in high school. A contact is any face-to-face meeting BASIC INFORMATION firms graduation from high school. between a college coach or athletics staff member and you or your parents, during which any of you say more than "hello." How do I know if I'm being recruited? Also, any such face-to-face meeting that is prearranged or that QUESTIONS? You become a "prospective student-athlete" when you start takes place on your campus, at an organized competition or prac- Should you have questions regarding any ninth-grade classes. Before the ninth grade, you become a tice involving you or your high school, preparatory school, two- NCAA rules, please contact our prospective student-athlete if a college gives you (or your relatives year college or all-star team shall be considered a contact, regard- or friends) any financial aid or other benefits that the college does less of the conversation. Currently in all sports other than football, Compliance Office at (310) 338-7789 or not provide to prospective students generally. You become a college coaches may contact you off the college campus no more the NCAA at (317) 917-6222. "recruited prospective student-athlete" at a particular college if than three times. However, a college coach may visit your high any coach approaches you (or any member of your family) about school (with the approval of your high school principal) only once enrolling and participating in athletics at that college. Activities by a week during a contact period. Junior college prospects who are GO ONLINE coaches that cause you to become a recruited prospective stu- non-qualifiers as determined by the NCAA Clearinghouse may NCAA: www.ncaa.org dent-athlete are: (1) providing you with an official visit; (2) placing not be recruited until they have completed one academic year at Loyola Marymount: www.LMU.edu more than one telephone call to you or any other member of your the junior college. family; or (3) visiting you or any other member of your family any- LMU Athletics: www.LMULions.com where other than the college campus; or (4) issuing to you a In Men's Basketball National Letter of Intent or written offer of athletically related A college coach is not permitted to contact you prior to the open- LMU CONTACTS financial aid. ing day of classes of your senior year in high school. During the academic year, a college coach is limited to seven recruiting Dan Smith Boosters: In addition to general recruiting regulations, no alum- opportunities with you (contacts and evaluations combined) with Associate Athletic Director-Compliance ni, boosters or representatives of a college's athletics interests can no more than three in-person, off-campus contacts at any site (310) 338-7789 be involved in your recruitment. There can be no phone calls or during your senior year in high school. letters from boosters. If an LMU booster is contacting you, please (800) LIONS-R-1 call the LMU Compliance Office as soon as possible at (310) 338- In Women's Basketball 7789. Don't risk your NCAA eligibility! A college coach is not permitted to contact you prior to the open- Brianna Johnson ing day of classes of your senior year in high school. During the When can I talk to the coach and have him/her see me play? academic year, a college coach is limited to five recruiting oppor- Compliance Assistant tunities with you (contacts and evaluations combined) with no (310) 338-3706 TELEPHONE CALLS more than three in-person, off-campus contacts at any site during (800) LIONS-R-1 In all Sports Other Than Football and Basketball your senior year in high school. This restriction includes your rel- A college coach (but not a booster) is permitted to call you (or atives or legal guardians, but does not include any contact made your parents or legal guardians) on or after July 1 following the during your official visit to campus. Further, all communication MAILING ADDRESSES completion of your junior year in high school. On or after July 1 between you, your relatives, legal guardians, your coach, or any- Loyola Marymount University after the completion of your junior year in high school, a college one else involved with your participation in basketball, directly or coach is permitted to call you only one time per week. indirectly, and a college coach during the month of July is prohib- Department of Athletics - Compliance ited. 1 LMU Drive - MS 8235 Exception for Men's Basketball ONLY Only in the sport of men's basketball, a college coach (but not a EVALUATIONS Los Angeles, CA 90045 booster) is permitted to call you (or your parents or legal An evaluation is any off-campus activity used to assess your aca- guardians) one time per month on or after June 15 of your soph- demic qualifications or athletics ability, including a visit to your NCAA Clearinghouse omore year in high school through July 31 of your junior year in high school (during which no contact occurs) or watching you high school. Coaches are permitted to call you two (2) times per practice or compete at any site. Currently in all sports other than 301 ACT Drive - Box 4043 week on or after August 1 prior to your senior year in high school. football and women's basketball, a college coach is limited to Iowa City, IA 52243-4043 For junior college and four-year transfer prospects, you may only seven opportunities (contacts and evaluations combined) to Toll Free – Domestic: (877) 262-1492 receive one phone call per week, regardless of the time period. recruit you and not more than three of the seven opportunities may be contacts. In women's basketball, coaches have a limit of Foreign Calls: (319) 337-1492 Exception for Women's Basketball ONLY five opportunities with which to recruit you (contact and evalua- www.ncaaclearinghouse.net Only in the sport of women's basketball, a college coach (but not tions combined) off the college campus. Not more than three of a booster) is permitted to call you (or your parents or legal those five opportunities may be contacts. Once you sign a guardians) one time during each of the months of April and May National Letter of Intent, you may be evaluated an unlimited num- WHAT CAN I RECEIVE FROM LMU of your junior year in high school. You can receive one call on or ber of times by a college coach from the college with which you You (or your family) may not receive any after June 1 through June 20, and you can receive one call on or have signed. benefit, inducement or arrangement such after June 21 through June 30 of your junior year in high school. In addition, you can receive three phone calls during the month of LETTERS AND RECRUITING MATERIALS as cash, clothing, cars, improper expenses, July following your junior year in high school, with no more than In all sports other than men's basketball, letters (including emails) transportation, gifts or loans to encourage one call per week. On or after August 1 prior to your senior year and printed recruiting information may be sent to you starting you to sign a National Letter of Intent or in high school, you can receive no more than one phone call per September 1st at the beginning of your junior year in high school. week. In men's basketball, you may receive these materials after June 15 attend an NCAA college. Loyola at the completion of your sophomore year in high school. This Marymount University may offer you a one- Unlimited Phone Calls - All Sports information can only be sent to you through regular mail services. year scholarship that covers room and Unlimited phone calls can be made to you (or your parents or College coaches are not permitted to send anything to you legal guardians) by a college coach ONLY under the following cir- (expect a National Letter of Intent offer) through any express mail board, tuition and fees, and required cumstances: (1) during the five days immediately before your offi- service (e.g. Federal Express, UPS, DHL, etc.). course-related books, or any part of these. cial visit by the college you will be visiting; (2) on the day of a The institution can recommend that this aid coach's off-campus contact with you by that coach; (3) on the ini- For more information, please visit our website at tial date for signing the National Letter of Intent in your sport www.LMULions.com. be renewed each year, as is the general through two days after the initial signing date; and (4) you (or practice at LMU. your parents or legal guardians) may telephone a coach at your Good Luck and GO LIONS! expense as often as you wish. At the completion of your junior
28 LMU lmu2006 lions 2006 LMU VOLLEYBALL
Head Coach Steve Stratos PROVEN SUCCESS
Posting 16 winning seasons in 16 years, Coach Stratos has the Lions poised for a fourth straight NCAA appearance.
In his 16 sea- ranking, the highest finish in program Winning has become a tradition for sons as head history. the LMU volleyball program. In a five- coach of the His teams have averaged more than 20 year span (1994-98), Stratos' teams com- Loyolawins a season and have made nine bined for a string of 61-straight weeks Marymount NCAA postseason appearances, includ- being nationally-ranked in the women's volley- ing four consecutive in the NCAA AVCA/USA Today Top 25 Poll. ball program, Championships from 1994-97. Recently, Despite high expectations upon enter- Steve Stratos the Lions have made three consecutive ing the 1998 season, the No. 25-ranked has maintained NCAA appearances in 2003, 2004, and Lions were left out of the NCAA postsea- a high level of 2005. Stratos has posted a career record son tournament for the first time since excellence throughout his program, both of 324-153, for a .679 winning percent- 1993. They ended the 1998 regular sea- in the classroom and on the court. age, the highest in LMU volleyball histo- son ranked No. 25 in the nation. Having coached six All-Americans, as ry. In West Coast Conference action, he Using 1998 as a learning experience, well as numerous academic all-confer- owns a record of 157-67, for a .701 win- Stratos and the Lions jumped back into ence selections, Stratos continues to ning percentage. With 157 career con- the NCAA tournament in 1999, advanc- maintain one of the top volleyball pro- ference victories, Stratos ranks second ing to the second round, and were grams in the nation. all-time among WCC coaches. ranked as high as No. 22 in the AVCA In 1996, Stratos became the first Stratos is currently a member of the rankings (Sept.28). coach in West Coast Conference history AVCA Coaches Top 25 Poll Committee In 2000, Stratos and the Lions contin- to be tabbed Coach of the Year three (since 1993) and is the WCC representa- ued their pursuit of excellence by starting straight seasons after leading the Lions tive on the Pacific Regional Ranking the season on a seven-match winning to their third consecutive conference Committee. He is also in his second term streak which propelled them to a season- title. In addition, he earned AVCA District on the District VIII Regional Poll best No. 21 AVCA ranking (Sept. 4). VIII Coach of the Year honors after direct- Committee (1995-96, 1999-present) and 2002 saw the Lions start the season ing the 1996 squad to a 26-3 mark, recently completed his service on the All- with an 11-3 mark, which handed the advancing to the NCAA Pacific Regional District VIII Selection Committee, which program its 13th straight winning season Semifinals and a No. 9 final national he was a member of since 1996. under Stratos'.
30 LMU 2006 LMU VOLLEYBALL
During Stratos' first season (1990), the Lions posted a 21-16 coaching profile record and made a postseason appearance in the NIVC (National Invitational Volleyball Championship). In 1992, he led the team to name Steven G. Stratos its second NIVC appearance and a 22-13 record. The following year born June 5, 1952 (1993), the Lions accumulated a 23-7 overall record and finished second in the WCC (11-3). For the first time in program history, hometown Torrance, CA LMU entered the nation’s top-25, ranked No. 24 in the AVCA high school Torrance High School Coaches’ Poll and No. 22 by Volleyball Monthly. college education In 1994, the Lions garnered the first of three consecutive WCC San Diego State, Bachelor of Arts, 1974 Championships with a 19-10 overall mark and a 12-2 conference California Standard Secondary Credential, 1975 record, earning a NCAA tournament appearance. playing career Stratos led LMU to its second straight WCC title and NCAA tour- 1972-1982 AAA beach volleyball player nament appearance in 1995 with a perfect 14-0 record, the first in 1985-1988 6-Man Beach Volleyball reached finals of Manhattan Beach Open school history. After their tremendous success in 1996, the Lions posted a 22-7 record the following year (1997) and again advanced coaching career 1990-Present head coach, LMU to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Under Stratos' 1983-1990 head coach, Woodbridge High School guidance, the Lions won in the first round of the tournament with boys’ & girls’ volleyball a 3-0 victory over the University of Hawaii. 1975-1983 head coach, Torrance High School boys’ volleyball & basketball Stratos and the Lions put up three straight NCAA appearances again from 2003 to 2005, advancing to the second round in 2003 collegiate coaching honors 1994 WCC Coach of the Year before falling to the eventual national champion. 1995 WCC Coach of the Year The 2004 campaign saw Stratos reach the 300 career win mile- 1996 WCC Coach of the Year stone in front of the home crowd at Gersten Pavilion. Stratos has 1996 AVCA District VIII Coach of the Year three WCC Championships (1994, 1995, 1996) turned the Lions' home court into one of the toughest places for nine NCAA postseason appearances opponents to visit, with a lively student section and exciting home (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005) nationally ranked 61-straight weeks (1994-98) schedules year after year. The Lions have enjoy a .744 overall and .761 WCC winning percentage in Gersten Pavilion under Coach high school coaching honors Stratos. 1985 O.C. Coach of the Year seven Pacific Coast League Championships Success of the program has carried over into individual honors as nationally ranked (1986-89) well. Among the program's top athletes and graduates, Stratos committees/memberships coached Loyola Marymount's two AVCA All-America first-team AVCA coaches top-25 voting committee honorees, Sarah Noriega (1994-97) and Sarah McFarland (1997- All-District VIII selection committee 00). He has guided nine All-West Region players, 40 all-conference District VIII regional poll committee players, three WCC Freshmen of the Year and one Freshman All- American. Stratos also coached Kelli Nerison (2000-2003) to one of the greatest breakthroughs in program history. After seeing brief playing time in a total of just 12 matches during the first two seasons of her career, Nerison went on to honorable mention All- American performances as a junior and senior. As a senior, Collegiate Volleyball Update named her one of the nation's top five blockers. continued 2006 LMU VOLLEYBALL continued stratos’ series records Throughout the same period, his teams Teams W L Teams W L Teams W L have succeeded in the classroom, producing Arizona 1 1 Idaho State 2 0 Providence 1 0 18 All-WCC Academic team members and Arizona State 4 1 Indiana 3 1 Rice 2 1 Auburn 1 0 Indiana State 1 0 Sacramento State 2 1 six LMU Female Scholar-Athletes of the Year. Baylor 1 0 Iowa 2 0 Saint Louis 2 0 Among these, Tracy Holman (1994-97) gar- Boise State 1 0 James Madison 1 0 Saint Mary’s 23 9 nered the award twice as an LMU student- Boston College 1 0 Kansas 1 0 Sam Houston State 1 0 Bradley 1 0 Long Beach State 2 6 San Diego 20 12 athlete, and was named WCC Scholar- Brown 1 0 Louisiana State 2 0 San Diego State 12 5 Athlete of the Year at the completion of the BYU 0 1 Marquette 1 0 San Francisco 30 2 Cal Poly 3 1 Maryland 0 1 San Jose State 2 1 1997-98 academic year. Cal State Bakersfield 1 0 Massachusetts 1 0 Santa Clara 17 16 Stratos began his coaching career as an Cal State Fullerton 9 0 Memphis State 1 0 South Florida 2 0 assistant coach for the boys' junior varsity Cal State Northridge 6 5 Miami 1 0 Southern Mississippi 1 0 Central Michigan 2 0 Michigan State 0 1 SE Missouri St. 2 0 basketball team at Torrance High School in Cincinnati 1 0 Minnesota 0 1 SMU 1 0 1976, and became an assistant coach for the Clemson 1 0 Mississippi 1 0 SW Missouri St. 1 0 Coastal Carolina 1 0 Montana 0 1 Stanford 0 2 varsity squad the following year. He assumed Colorado 2 2 Moorhead State 1 0 Syracuse 1 0 duties as head coach for the boys' volleyball Colorado State 5 2 Murray State 2 0 Tennessee 0 1 team in the spring of 1978 and became head Columbia 1 0 Nebraska 0 1 Texas A&M 0 1 Connecticut 2 0 Nevada 1 0 Texas-El Paso 1 0 coach of the boys' varsity basketball team in Creighton 1 0 New Mexico 5 1 Texas Tech 1 0 1981. He moved on to Woodbridge High Davidson 1 0 North Carolina 0 2 Tulane 1 0 Dayton 2 0 Northeastern 2 0 UC Irvine 8 1 School in Irvine, Calif., in 1983 where he Drake 1 0 Northern Arizona 1 0 UCLA 0 2 served as head coach of the boys' volleyball Duke 2 2 Northern Illinois 0 1 UC Riverside 2 0 team, as well as a boys' basketball assistant. Eastern Washington 1 0 Northern Iowa 1 0 UC Santa Barbara 6 13 Fairfield 1 0 Notre Dame 1 2 UNLV 2 0 Concentrating on volleyball, he took over Florida 0 1 Ohio State 1 0 USC 0 5 the reins of both the girls' and boys' volley- Florida State 1 2 Oklahoma 1 0 US International 1 0 Fresno State 1 0 Oral Roberts 1 1 Utah 0 2 ball programs in 1984. There, he led both George Washington 2 0 Oregon 1 0 Villanova 2 0 programs into prominence during his tenure, Gonzaga 26 4 Oregon State 0 1 Washington State 1 3 taking each to the California Interscholastic Grambling State 1 0 Pepperdine 11 20 West Virginia 1 0 Hawaii 2 5 Pittsburgh 1 0 Wichita State 1 0 Federation (CIF) playoffs. Under Stratos' Houston 1 0 Portland 29 3 William & Mary 3 1 leadership, the Woodbridge girls' program Idaho 2 0 Portland State 1 0 Wisconsin 0 1 Wyoming 2 1 ranked among the nation's top 20 in each of his final four years. In 1985, he was honored as Orange County's Boy's Volleyball Coach of the Year. ASSISTANT COACH BRANDEN HIGA He coached in the Orange County All-Star Branden Higa joins the Loyola Marymount women's volleyball pro- Game five times, with the boy's squad in gram as a volunteer assistant coach for the 2006 season. Higa comes to LMU after working with Lion Assistant Coach Larry Smoot at the 1986 and 1988, and the girl's team in 1987, South Bay Volleyball Club. 1989 and 1990. Aside from his coaching duties, Stratos taught advanced placement In addition to his work with South Bay Volleyball Club, Higa spent three seasons coaching at the club level with Santa Monica Beach U.S. history at Woodbridge. A 1970 gradu- Club and Santa Clarita Athletic Club. ate of Torrance High School, Stratos was an Higa has leant his volleyball expertise to numerous camps and clinics, all-league selection in basketball. He later including Kevin Barnett's Pro Performance Camp in Norfolk, earned a bachelor of arts degree in social sci- Nebraska, and Nina Matthies' Volleyball Camp at his alma mater, ences, with an emphasis in U.S. history, and Pepperdine. a minor in English from San Diego State in The Lancaster, Calif. Native earned a double degree in international studies and public relations 1975. from Pepperdine University in 1998. While a Wave, Higa played three seasons of collegiate vol- leyball. He is a former president of the Orange County Volleyball Coaches Association and Prior to his time in Malibu, Higa was named Junior College Player of the Year while at Pierce served on the CIF Volleyball Advisory Board College in Woodland Hills, Calif. for five years. Higa currently works at a stationary company and resides in Torrance, Calif.
32 LMU 2006 LMU VOLLEYBALL ASSISTANT COACH LARRY SMOOT Larry Smoot begins his 17th year as the top assistant volleyball coach at Smoot is currently the Director of the South Bay Loyola Marymount University. Smoot is involved in all facets of the volleyball Girls' Volleyball Club and has served as head program, including input on daily practices and matches, as well as handling coach for the Torrance Volleyball Club (boys). His a portion of the recruiting responsibilities. He also serves as the camp coordi- South Bay 18-and-under club team has advanced nator for the LMU Girls' Volleyball Summer Camp. to the Kaepa Festival Tournament Final Four in In his 16 seasons with the Lions, Smoot has helped LMU to 11 postseason four of the last 10 years and won the champi- appearances and three West Coast Conference Championships. onship in 1993. During the summer of 2006, Smoot began his coaching career at Torrance High School with the boys' Smoot coached the South Bay 18-1s to a bronze volleyball program in 1980. He added the girls' team to his coaching duties in medal at the American Division Junior National 1984 and led them to national rankings in 1986 (No. 12) and 1987 (No. 10). Championships in Atlanta. His girls' program captured the Bay League Championship from 1985 through He previously led the Torrance club to a second place finish at the USVB 1987. Junior Olympics in 1983. Smoot was honored in 1996 with the Distinguished Service Award for Junior Volleyball by the Kaepa Volleyball Festival. A 1978 graduate of Torrance High School, Smoot was an all-conference vol- leyball player at El Camino Junior College before playing one season at Long Beach State in 1982. Smoot still competes in men's and co-ed division tour- naments. He is a former USVBA All-American in the co-ed division and has won the USVBA co-ed division open championships as a player-coach in 1987 and 1990.
ASSISTANT COACH HEATHER COLLINS Heather Collins begins her 10th season Festival Championship in 1991. as an assistant coach at Loyola Collins is a two-year veteran of the professional volleyball Marymount. Collins handles prematch ranks. She played in the National Volleyball Association (NVA) 4- scouting and assists in recruiting, daily man sand and 4-man grass league in 1996, and played for the practices and matches. On the court, Utah Golden Spikers of the NVA in 1997. Collins primarily works with outside hit- Collins is a 1996 graduate of UC Santa Barbara, earning a ters and passing and defense. degree in liberal arts. She is currently working on her LMU mas- In her first season with the LMU program, ters degree in education. the Lions went 22-7 overall and 11-3 in WCC play en route to a NCAA second round appearance. In her nine seasons, Collins has guided LMU to six NCAA post- seasons, reaching the second round in three of those six appear- ances. A former All-American at UC Santa Barbara, Collins came to LMU following a two-year stint as an assistant coach at UCSB in 1995 and 1996. In her two seasons, the Gauchos posted a 26-9 record in 1995 and a 23-9 record in 1996, twice advancing to the NCAA second round. A four-year letterwinner for the Gauchos, Collins was a two- time All-Big West first-team member following her junior and sen- ior seasons. She earned third-team All-America honors from Volleyball Magazine as a junior, and honorable mention accolades following her senior campaign. She ranks among school leaders in career digs (1,556 - fifth) and kills (1,329 - eighth) and holds the school mark for service aces (157). As a player, she led the Gauchos to a four-year record of 101-29, including four appear- ances in the NCAA Tournament. In 1993, UCSB posted a 28-4 mark and finished with a No. 4 national ranking. Collins attended Poway High School, where she led her team to three CIF 3-A championships. She was a two-time All-CIF first- team performer and won Player of the Year honors following her senior season. A five-year player for the San Diego Volleyball Club, she led the 18-elite team to the Nike Davis Volleyball 2006 LMU VOLLEYBALL
senior captain SANDY KRONE
“Sandy’s stock has risen a great deal because she can really play three positions. Her versatility allows us to put our best lineup on the floor.”
VERSATILE VETERAN: Sandy Krone’s versatility gives Coach Stratos the options he needs for the lineup.
A prominent part of the LMU volleyball roster, Despite the great success of her freshman sea- play three positions,” LMU Head Coach Steve Sandy Krone has played in 77 matches over son, it was Krone's junior season that was the Stratos said. “Her versatility allows us to put three years for the Lions. Now, as a senior, best testament to her hard work. Following her our best lineup on the floor.” Krone was selected as co-captain and will look third season, Krone was named LMU's Female to lead the Lions to a fourth straight NCAA Strength Athlete of the Year for her capabilities After trying her at middle blocker last spring for appearance. in the weight room. Working with Head the first time, Stratos expects her to be in the Strength Coach Rick Stassi and the Frappier running for that starting job this fall. “She did Joining the Lions from Sebastopol, Calif., Krone Acceleration Sports Training (FAST) program, very, very well at middle blocker this spring,” contributed right from the start of her career, Krone put up some significant results. Among Stratos said. playing in 31 of the team's 33 matches as a 3500 college and professional female athletes freshman. It was that rookie season that saw in the program, Krone ranked in the 99th per- Krone post her career high for kills (13) and centile in both positive and negative power and digs (20) in the Lions' 3-1 win over San power production. Francisco. That was her first career statistical double-double. In addition to her work in the weight room, Krone's efforts on the court have paid off too. The 2004 season limited her to 17 matches due She has developed into a well-rounded athlete to injury, but she still managed to average 1.35 who can play three positions. “Sandy's stock kills per game. has risen a great deal because she can really
34 LMU 2006 LMU VOLLEYBALL
Sandy Krone