Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State Volleyball
7/15/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
July 15, 1999
POSTSEASON PLAY
Under the guidance of ninth-year head coach Lindy Vivas, the Bulldogs have made five postseason appearances in the last eight years. Last season, Fresno State made its third NCAA appearance overall and second under Vivas after her '91 Bulldogs made a NCAA appearance in her first year at the helm. In 1995, '94, and '92, Fresno State advanced to the NIVC in Kansas City, Mo. Prior to Vivas' arrival in Fresno, the program made just one appearance in postseason play (1984).
WINNING WAYS
Since head coach Lindy Vivas took over as head coach in 1991, Fresno State has posted 21 or more victories in six of eight seasons -- including 24 wins in 1997 and 23 wins in 1995. In the 26 years of Fresno State volleyball prior to VivasU arrival, the Bulldogs had managed just two 20-plus winning campaigns, with the last being in 1984 with 26.
NORTH GYM HAVEN
Fresno State added two more Top 25 crowds to its all-time attendance list in 1998 after establishing five in 1997. Setting the school's all-time mark of 1,982 versus Hawai'i three years ago, the Bulldogs have drawn 14 "one-grand" crowds in the program's history, 12 just in the last two seasons. Averaging 20 wins a year, the Bulldogs are 72-30 (.706) in the North Gym under Vivas.
HONORS & ACCOLADES
Conference and region honors have become the norm for Fresno State volleyball under head coach Lindy Vivas. In the last eight years, Fresno State has produced four first team all-conference players, seven second team all-conference players, two conference Freshmen of the Year, two first team All-Northwest Region players, one second-team All-West Region player, one AVCA All-District VII, one freshman All-American, and one conference honorable mention. In addition, Vivas has collected her own postseason honors after being named 1997 (Pacific Division) and 1992 WAC Coach of the Year.
NATIONAL TEAM CONNECTIONS
Fresno State boasts three Bulldogs who have had USA national team experience. Former All-American Ruth Lawanson (class of '84) played with the national team in 1985 and from 1989-92. She won a bronze medal for the United States at the XXV Olympiad in Barcelona, Spain, in 1992. Former middle blocker Suzie Regul (class of '92), who became Fresno State's all-time leader in kills as a senior in 1992, was a member of the national team in 1993 and 1994. In addition, Vivas served as an assistant coach for the USA national "B" team in 1992.
THE WESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Recognized as one of the premier volleyball conferences in the country, the Western Athletic Conference has consistently ranked among the top attendance leaders the last six years. The WAC captured the national attendance title with more than 300,000 fans the last three seasons. For the fifth consecutive season, Hawai'i ranked No. 1 in total and average attendance while topping the 100,000 mark for the fourth consecutive year. The WAC achieved a No. 1 ranking (1990) and a No. 2 ranking (1992) in the National Ratings Index for its stiff competition. In 1996, Hawai'i advanced to the NCAA championship title game before losing to Stanford, while former 1993 conference champion BYU made the conferenceUs first trip to the NCAA Final Four. In 1998, the WAC advanced a conference-best six schools into the NCAA Tournament. In 1984, the league sent no less than five schools to postseason play, including four teams in the NCAA tournament for the first time in history. Fresno State has been a three-time participant in the NIVC and has two NCAA tournament appearances as a WAC member.
ACADEMIC PRIDE
For the last four seasons, the Bulldogs have made their mark in the classroom. The Fresno State volleyball program has had 14 WAC Academic All-Conference picks since 1992. In addition, the Bulldog volleyball program had seven WAC Scholar Athletes and five Fresno State Scholar Athletes recognized in 1998-99.
LIVE COVERAGE
For the last four years, Media One and KCBL 1340/KVBL 1400 AM have broadcast live volleyball matches from the North Gym. With MediaOne televising six Fresno State home volleyball matches and KCBL broadcasting live 13 Bulldog home matches, including preseason "Meet the Team" and NCAA Tournament and WAC postseason competition, both media outlets return to cover exciting Bulldog volleyball. The partnership between MediaOne, KCBL and Fresno State marks the most comprehensive package of live coverage of women's sports in the Western Athletic Conference, and also extends to Bulldog women's basketball and softball.
