2004 NACWAA Women's Volleyball Classic All Tournament Team:

University of Southern California - Bibiana Candelas (MVP), Keao Burdine, Staci Venski

University of Minnesota - Paula Gentil, Erin Martin

Colorado State University - Dre Downs

Georgia Tech - Jayme Gergen

The tournament was held on Friday and Saturday, August 27 and 28, at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO. Joining Colorado State in the Volleyball Classic were the University of Minnesota, Georgia Tech, and the 2003 NCAA National Champions, the University of Southern California.

“ It is a huge honor for Colorado State to be chosen to host the 2004 NACWAA Women’s Volleyball Classic,” said Colorado State University’s volleyball coach Tom Hilbert. “To bring in the top teams in the country is an exciting thing for both Colorado State and the community of Fort Collins. I believe this is truly a reflection of the support the community has shown for our program as well as the success we have enjoyed throughout the years.”


Colorado State University advanced to the Regional Semifinals of the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in five seasons in 2003 after winning the Mountain West Conference Tournament and posting a perfect 14-0 record in Mountain West Conference play. The Rams became the first Mountain West team to go undefeated in league play, and the first Mountain West team to win both the regular season and tournament titles in the same season; the 2003 team also set a school record by winning 23 consecutive matches. Colorado State returns six starters from the 2003 team, returning 10 letterwinners and one redshirt player, including Honorable Mention All-Americans Katie Jo Shirley and Melissa Courtney.

The University of Southern California, coming off its second-consecutive NCAA Championship and sixth national title overall, heads into the 2004 season attempting to become the first-ever women's volleyball team to win three consecutive titles. The task will be challenging for the Women of Troy, who lost five players from the 2003 title squad including All-Americans April Ross and Katie Olsovsky, as well as setter Toni Anderson and libero Nicole Davis. The Trojans return nine letterwinners who are not without their share of accolades: All-American middle blockers Emily Adams and Bibiana Candelas, as well as two-time NCAA Championship MVP outside hitter Keao Burdine. USC is led by fourth-year head coach Mick Haley, the 2003 AVCA National Coach of the Year.

The University of Minnesota advanced to the first Final Four in school history in 2003. The Golden Gophers finished tied for second in the Big Ten with a 15-5 conference record. Minnesota finished the 2003 season with its highest national ranking in school history at No. 4. The Golden Gophers return 11 letterwinners from last year’s team, including Second-Team AVCA All-American libero Paul Gentil. Minnesota also returns Honorable Mention All-Big Ten setter Lindsey Taatjes, Big Ten All-Freshmen middle blocker Meredith Nelson and Erin Martin who was named to the NCAA Pacific Regional All-Tournament team. “It’s certainly an honor to be invited to this prestigious tournament,” said head coach Mike Hebert. “I also look forward to the opportunity and the challenge of playing in a tournament against the nation’s best to start off the 2004 season.”

Georgia Tech advanced to the Elite Eight in the 2003 NCAA tournament for the first time in school history. The Yellow Jackets posted a school best 34-4 record and were ranked in the USA Today/AVCA Top 25 Poll for the duration of the season, including three weeks at No. 4. Georgia Tech defeated five nationally ranked opponents last season, including California, Nebraska, Santa Clara, Michigan State and Wisconsin. Eleven letterwinners (six starters, libero included) return for Georgia Tech for the 2004 season, including AVCA All-Americans Lauren Sauer and Lynnette Moster. “This is an exciting opportunity for our program and we are very proud to represent not only Georgia Tech, but also the ACC," said head coach Bond Shymansky. "We are working hard to elevate our program to be continually competitive at the type of level that will be played at the NACWAA tournament."