Ithaca College Athletics - Volleyball History

All-Americans

Year by Year Results

The Bombers’ 11 invitations to the NCAA Division III playoffs over the past 13 years have helped solidify Ithaca’s standing as a volleyball power, but the program’s highlights extend back much further. Since volleyball became a varsity sport in 1968, the team has posted a winning record in 31 of 36 seasons. The Bombers have recorded an overall mark of 998-393-4 (.717).

The last 11 NCAA playoff appearances have come under current head coach Janet Donovan. Hired in 1992, Donovan helped the Bombers to back-to-back 37-13 records her first two years. Ithaca won its second straight Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) championship in 1992, led by Laurie Roberts, who set a school record with 3,774 career assists. In 1993 the Bombers advanced to the NCAA tournament.

The 1994 team finished 53-4, setting a school record for wins, and made the program’s first trip to the NCAA Division III semifinals. The Bombers hosted the event in Ben Light Gymnasium. Tracy Swyers finished her career as the Bombers’ career leader in kills (1,659), while Lisa Black set the career digs record (1,644). All-American Melissa Kryz had a school-record 549 total blocks. Sindie Shollenberger set a record with 278 career service aces. Swyers was named a first-team all-American, and Black and Kryz picked up second-team all-American honors.

Bonnie McDowell, a first-team all-American in 1995, posted a school-record 614 kills and led the Bombers back to the national semifinals, where they finished fourth, ending the year with a 41-4 record. Teammate Heidi Nichols was named to the 1995 all-America second team. The following year Ithaca stretched its streak

to four consecutive appearances in the NCAA playoffs and reached the 20-win level for the seventh straight year. Nichols again received all-America honors as a first-team selection.

The 1997 team went 32-6 and reached the championship match of the New York regional. Nichols became the program’s first athlete to be named a first-team all-American two years in a row and to receive three consecutive all-America honors. She was also named a second-team academic all-American and set Ithaca records for career kills (1,855) and blocks (671). Nichols, also an all-American high jumper with Ithaca’s track and field team, earned the NCAA’s Woman of the Year award for the state of New York—an honor encompassing Division I, II and III athletes.

In 1998 the Bombers advanced to the NCAA Regional championship match for the fourth time in five years. Freshman setter Jen Salmon was voted to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) all-region team. The next season the team recorded another 30 wins and captured the regional title, rallying from two games down to beat host Cortland 3-2 in the regional championship match. In 1999 Salmon, along with teammates Robin Dalton, Rebecca Helmetsie and Jessica Raymond, were voted to AVCA all-region team.

The 2000 team was back in the NCAA Regional championship match. Senior Stephanie Raefski was named to the District I All-Academic first team in addition to the AVCA all-region team with teammates Karen McCord, Salmon and Raymond. A year later the Bombers advanced to the regional finals for the fourth consecutive season. Salmon, Raymond and sophomore Janet Hammond were named to the all-region team.

In 2002 Raymond earned her fourth straight all-conference recognition and became the program’s first all-American in five years. A year later two Bombers were named all-Americans as Julie Roth earned second-team honors and Hammond, who set the program’s all-time record in kills, was an honorable mention selection.

Roth and Katie Hause – the program’s first freshman all-American – led the 2004 team to an Empire 8 title and the team’s first NCAA playoff appearance in three years. The Bombers were chosen to host the NCAA New York regional championship for the first time.

The 2005 team posted a 31-9 record and repeated as Empire 8 champions behind the play of all-Americans Andrea Blitz, Jen Cramer - who holds Ithaca's single-season and career dig records - and Andrea Hubbard.

and 1971. Barbara Blodgett took over in 1969. The 1971 season saw Ithaca make its first appearance in the postseason, a fourth-place showing in the NYSAIAW playoffs.

Sarah Rich guided the team from 1972 to 1977 and then again from 1979 to 1984. Jane Arnett was the school’s coach in 1978. Under coach Rich, the Bombers extended their season every year except for one, with three straight trips to the NCAA regionals (1982-84).

Rhonda Faunce, a four-year hitter for Ithaca, was a standout performer during Rich’s reign. Faunce, who set single-season Ithaca records for total blocks (207) and service aces (94), was the first Bomber volleyball player to earn all-American honors.

Coach Jane Jacobs picked up where Rich left off in 1985. During her three-year stint, the Bombers made two appearances in the NCAA playoffs. Jacobs compiled a 115-33 mark, and her 1987 team tied the school record for wins, going 44-9.

Sheila Deam directed the program from 1988-91. After two rebuilding seasons, she worked the program back into playoff contention with a 26-21 record in 1990 and a 32-15 mark in 1991. Ithaca won its first ECAC championship in 1991. Beverly Vosefski was one of the team’s top players during Deam’s tenure.

July 27, 2006