Fresno State Athletics
Rings of Success
8/2/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 2, 2005
Fresno, Calif.-When the Fresno State volleyball team began a new era under first-year head coach Ruben Nieves, he assembled a unique combination with the new Bulldog coaching staff. Nieves, along with his two assistants Matt Terra and Fernanda Habiger, have all been a part of national championship teams as coaches.
Habiger comes to Fresno State after spending last fall in Miami Shores, Fla., where she helped Barry University capture the 2004 NCAA Division II Women's Volleyball Championship title. Habiger, who is fluent in Portuguese, loves wearing her championship ring because five of her senior players designed it.
"To win the (national) championship is a unique experience. I think it means gaining experience and learning ways to get to that point," said Habiger, who was a graduate assistant but took on full-time responsibilities of an assistant coach. "Team chemistry is very important. You need to be able to communicate very effectively on the court in order to succeed as one."
Terra, a 2003 graduate of Fresno State, served as an assistant coach at Fresno Pacific University the last six years. In 2003, the Sunbirds won their second NAIA championship.
"When I came into that program at Fresno Pacific, it was already good," Terra said. "I just helped to maintain it and get over the hump to another national championship. It was nice to reach that level as it was a long time coming since that first one was captured in 1989."
Nieves, who is making his debut with the Bulldogs this fall, stated that the biggest difference between Fresno State (women) and Stanford (men) is growth and potential.
"I went from a program that was an annual Top 10 to a program that is still making the climb," said Nieves, who guided the Stanford's men's team to a national title as head coach in 1997. "For myself, Matt and Fernanda, it was wonderful to experience a national championship. Now, all three of us are coming together to focus on the particular challenges that lie ahead for Fresno State volleyball, such as winning a Western Athletic Conference title and qualifying for the NCAA Tournament. We're excited about the new task at hand."
While the Bulldog coaching staff offers championship experience on different levels, they realize that those championships are now a reference point as their focus is now on building a great future at Fresno State.
