Dec. 4, 2003

Complete Release in PDF Format

Briefly...
No. 15 Loyola Marymount (25-6, 10-4 WCC) has received an invitation to the NCAA Tournament for the seventh time in ten years, the NCAA announced Sunday evening on ESPNews. LMU will open first round action against Cal State Northridge (16-12) on Friday, December 5 at 5:00 p.m. in USC's Lyon Center.

The 64-team tournament consists of 31 automatic bids (conference champions) and 33 at-large invitations. The teams are assigned to 16 sites, with 16 teams receiving seeds.

For the first time in West Coast Conference history, six of the conference's eight teams received tournament bids. The WCC leads all conferences, placing 75 percent of its teams in the tournament. "I think all six WCC teams deserved to be in the tournament, as we've been battling each other all season," senior co-captain Kealani Kimball said. "It really shows how strong our conference is, and I think each WCC team will do very well in the tournament after being challenged all season. We couldn't ask for a better conference to play in; we love playing in a tough conference because we can get better with every match."

LMU and Cal State Northridge will square off in the first round, as will top-seed Southern California (29-0) and New Hampshire (23-11). The winner of each match-up will meet for the second round contest, also played at USC on Saturday, December 6 at 6:00 p.m. in the Lyon Center.

"We are very excited about beginning the playoffs," said Head Coach Steve Stratos. "Our players have had a good year, and the opportunity to play close to home so our fans can come see us play is great. We are really looking forward to getting started."

Up Next
LMU and Cal State Northridge (16-12) will square off in the first round, as will top-seed USC (29-0) and New Hampshire (23-11). The winner of each match-up will meet for the second round contest, also played at USC on Saturday, December 6 at 6:00 p.m. in the Lyon Center.

Cal State Northridge (16-12)
CSUN is led by senior Jennifer Fopma and juniors Nadine Nickel and Jen Ryan. All three earned All-Big West honors, with Fopma earning a first-team selection. The three-time Big West Player of the Week averages 5.40 kills per game. Nickel, the Matadors' setter, dishes out 12.45 assists per game, while Ryan is second on the team with 10 double-doubles this season.

Friday's first-round match marks the 28th meeting between the Matadors and Lions with Northridge holding a 16-11 edge in the series. The last time the two schools met was in 1996, when the 20th-ranked Lions defeated the Matadors 15-5, 10-15, 15-9, 17-15 at the Arizona Invitational. The Matadors are 2-2 all-time against LMU at neutral sites. Northridge and the Lions have four common opponents this season in Saint Mary's, UCSB, Cal State Fullerton and UC Riverside. LMU defeated UCSB 3-1, split two matches with Saint Mary's and swept both Cal State Fullerton and UC Riverside. The Matadors split two matches with UCSB, took both matches from Cal State Fullerton and UC Riverside and lost a 3-0 match to Saint Mary's in August tournament play.

No. 15 LMU Places Two on All-WCC Team
No. 15 Loyola Marymount's Kealani Kimball and Kelli Nerison were selected to the All-West Coast Conference first team, WCC Commissioner Michael Gilleran announced on November 25th. Tiana Newsome and Nicole Oehlman received honorable mention recognition as well. Kimball is now a three-time All-WCC first team selection, receiving the nod in 2001 and 2002. The outside hitter completed WCC play ranking in the conference's top ten in three categories: digs (fourth- 3.67), kills (ninth- 3.95), and points (ninth- 4.53). Kimball put up double-double numbers in twelve of the fourteen conference matches, including the final nine contests. Kimball received the WCC's Player of the Week honors on October 27, after leading LMU to victories over then-No. 12 Santa Clara then-No. 16 San Diego.

Nerison receives her first All-WCC selection after a breakthrough season with the Lions. The junior, who appeared in just seven matches last season, finished WCC play leading the conference in hitting percentage (.394) and blocks (1.74). She also ranked 16th in kills and 12th in points. The middle blocker was the WCC's Player of the Month in October, playing consistent enough to earn the honor without ever receiving a Player of the Week selection. Overall in October, Nerison recorded double-digit kills and seven or more blocks in seven of LMU's eight matches, while never hitting below .286. She totaled 110 kills and 64 blocks in the Lions' eight matches. At the end of the regular season, Nerison ranked 21st in the nation in hitting percentage and 23rd in blocks per game.

Newsome and Oehlman rounded out the Lions' conference honors, receiving honorable mention recognition. Newsome concluded WCC action ranking second in the conference in hitting percentage (.370), third in blocks (1.38), and 17th in points (3.43). Oehlman, the Lions' setter, led her squad to a WCC-leading .266 hitting percentage, while averaging 11.55 assists per game. The junior also ranked eighth in the conference in service aces, hitting 0.29 aces per game.

LMU in NCAA's National Statistical Rankings
No.15 Loyola Marymount appears among the nation's best in the weekly NCAA statistical rankings. For the rankings for games played through November 30th, LMU ranks 25th in match won-lost percentage at .806. The Lions also rank 14th in blocks per game (3.04) and 21st in hitting percentage (.268). Junior Kelli Nerison ranks 17th in the nation in hitting percentage (.381) and 23rd in the nation in blocks per game (1.45).

LMU in National Rankings
LMU has climbed in the USA Today/AVCA Division I Coaches Top 25 poll nine times throughout the season. This week, the Lions (25-6, 10-4 WCC) retain their No. 15 ranking after finishing third in a tough West Coast Conference. The Lions peaked at the 13th spot in the October 27th poll, following the back-to-back top-20 wins against Santa Clara and San Diego. The WCC keeps three teams in the top 20 again this week, with Pepperdine and Santa Clara holding at the No. 4 and No. 13 spots, respectively. At 15th, LMU rounds out the WCC selections. San Francisco is still receiving votes in the poll, after finishing fourth in the WCC. Following a six-match skid to end the season, San Diego was not listed among point-winners for the second straight week. The September 29th poll marked the first time in WCC history that five WCC teams were ranked in the top 25. The WCC tied the Pac-10 with five teams ranked in the top 25 that week. No other conference had more than three of its teams ranked. LMU has ranked as high as sixth in the national poll, earning that spot in 1996. The 1996 squad posted a 26-3/14-0 WCC record, and advanced to the NCAA Pacific Regional Semifinal. On November 15th, the current LMU squad broke the mark set by the 1996 team for best home record (13-1) when they beat Portland to finish 14-1 at home. The 2003 squad's 25 wins are the most victories posted since the 1996 team posted 26 victories.

Kelli Nerison Named WCC Player of the Month
Kelli Nerison was selected as the WCC's top volleyball athlete for her play during October, the conference announced on November 5th. Nerison ranked 16th in the nation in hitting percentage and 29th in blocks per game. Nerison led the way as the No. 17 Lions (22-4, 7-2 WCC) climbed the rankings throughout October. During last month, LMU's middle blocker led the WCC in hitting percentage (.436) and blocks per game (1.91), all in conference matches. Peaking as high as 10th in the nation in hitting percentage, Nerison settled into the 16th spot in games through October 26th, hitting .396. A consistent factor throughout October, Nerison's numbers earned her player of the month honors without ever receiving a player of the week nod. Overall in October, Nerison recorded double-digit kills and seven or more blocks in seven of LMU's eight matches, while never hitting below .286. She totaled 110 kills and 64 blocks in the Lions' eight matches, while her 44 solo blocks set an LMU single season record in October.

Kelli Nerison Selected as LMU Enterprise Rent-A-Car Student-Athlete of the Month
For the second month, a volleyball player has been selected as LMU's female student-athlete of the month. Junior Kelli Nerison and sophomore Endre Rex-Kiss from the men's water polo program have been named the Loyola Marymount University/Enterprise Rent-A-Car Student-Athletes of the Month for leading their respective teams to high levels of success in the months of October. Nerison, in her third season with the LMU volleyball team, has had a breakthrough year for the 17th-ranked Lions. She was named the WCC Player of the Month for October for helping the Lions to a 22-5 record overall and 7-3 in the WCC. In the month of October the Lions went 7-1, defeating two teams ranked in the nation's top-20.

Kimball Named WCC Player of the Week
Kealani Kimball was selected as the WCC's Player of the Week, the conference announced on October 27th. Kimball led the Lions as LMU defeated two teams then ranked above them, No. 12 Santa Clara and No. 16 San Diego. The senior co-captain led the squad in kills both nights, posting 22 against No. 12 SCU and 14 against No. 16 USD. In addition to her 22 kills, Kimball added 18 digs, four blocks, three service aces, and one assist to help the Lions take three straight games from the Broncos. Against No. 16 San Diego, Kimball recorded 12 digs, five blocks, two aces, and one assist to go with her 14 kills in the victory.

LMU Wins WCC Race to 20
LMU became the WCC's first 20-match winner this season. A pair of victories over then-No. 16 San Diego and then-No. 12 Santa Clara put the Lions win total at 21 for the 2003 campaign. Since 1994, LMU has qualified for the NCAA tournament each time it has posted 20-plus victories.

Making History
Several 2003 Lions have found their place on LMU's all-time listings this season. Senior Tiana Newsome now ranks first in LMU's history in career solo blocks, career block assists, career and single season block average, and career and single season total blocks. She did lose one season title, however: teammate Kelli Nerison's 48 season solo blocks are the most posted by a Lion, just edging Newsome's 40 solo blocks in 2002. Nerison also ranks first in season total blocks. Setter Nicole Oehlman hangs on to her No. 3 ranking on LMU's all-time assist list, while Kealani Kimball ranks sixth in career kills and digs and seventh in career total attempts.

DeBernardi Named Enterprise Student-Athlete of the Month
The LMU Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) announced on October 14th that sophomore Dina DeBernardi joins soccer player Kevin Novak as the Enterprise Student-Athletes of the Month. DeBernardi has been a strong part of the Lions' top-20 run this season, ranking 28th in the nation in hitting percentage (.401) during September. She was selected the WCC Player of the Week on Sept. 8, posting 56 kills and six blocks, leading LMU to an upset of then-No. 7 UC Santa Barbara. Against UCSB, she recorded 23 kills with no errors for a .639 hitting percentage. In September, DeBernardi led the Lions in attack percentage (.384) and points per game (4.19) and was second with 3.63 kills per game.

Dina DeBernardi Among Top WCC Athletes of the Month
No.17 Loyola Marymount's Dina DeBernardi was among the conference's top athletes of the month for her play during September, the West Coast Conference announced on October 3rd. DeBernardi then ranked 28th in the nation in hitting percentage, hitting .393 in matches through September 30th. Against San Diego State, DeBernardi hit .522 with 13 kills. The Lions' co-captain hit better than .400 in five matches as a middle blocker and led the team in attack percentage (.384) and points per game (4.19). She also ranked second among all Lions in kills per game (3.63).

Lions Audio Network Allows Fans to Follow LMU Athletics
Beginning with the match against San Diego State and continuing with select matches throughout the season, fans can follow LMU volleyball on the Lions' Audio Network. Thanks to an agreement with Yahoo! Sports, more than 110 LMU games will be aired live via the Internet throughout this season. In addition to the increased number of broadcasts, Yahoo! Sports will bring its state-of-the-art technology to the Lions' Audio Network. To ensure the best product for our listeners, the Yahoo! Sports partnership is a subscription-based program. Live programming is a hallmark of every major athletics program in the country and LMU's commitment is an example to the student-athletes and fans of the continuing efforts to Build Champions and Championship programs!

Kealani Kimball Named Cougar Mania Tournament MVP
LMU's Kealani Kimball was selected as the tournament's MVP. It was the senior's first MVP honor of the season. Kimball posted her fourth double-double of the season, with 22 kills and 25 digs against the Cougars. Overall, the Lions' co-captain totaled 49 kills, 41 digs, six aces, and four blocks on the weekend.

Kimball, DeBernardi, Oehlman Named to Cougar Mania All-Tournament Team
Setter Nicole Oehlman and middle blocker Dina DeBernardi joined Kimball on the Cougar Mania All-Tournament team. Oehlman contributed 127 assists, while DeBernardi added 36 kills and nine blocks against tournament opponents.

DeBernardi Named WCC Player of the Week, Four Points Sheraton Classic MVP
Dina DeBernardi was selected as the West Coast Conference's Player of the Week on Monday, September 8. DeBernardi posted 56 kills and six blocks on the week, leading LMU to an upset of No. 7 UC Santa Barbara and their second tournament title in as many weekends. Against No. 7 UCSB, DeBernardi recorded 23 kills with no errors, good for a .639 hitting percentage. The Scottsdale, Arizona, native earned most valuable player honors at the Four Points Sheraton Volleyball Classic, after hitting .395 against Eastern Washington, a team that had just upset No. 15 Long Beach State. She shared the Player of the Week honor with Santa Clara's Becky Potter.

DeBernardi, Oehlman, and Kimball Named to Four Points Sheraton Classic All-Tournament Team
Senior Kealani Kimball and junior Nicole Oehlman joined DeBernardi as all-tournament selections. Kimball contributed 39 kills and five blocks on the weekend, while Oehlman earned her second double-double of the tournament against Eastern Washington, recording 54 assists and 10 digs. Creighton's Katie Grady and Northeastern's Jana Kubalova represented their squads on the all-tournament team. Megan Kitterman and Lindsay Page of Eastern Washington also garnered all-tournament honors.

LMU Wins Four Points Sheraton Volleyball Classic
Loyola Marymount earned its second tournament title in as many weekends, dropping Eastern Washington in five games, 19-30, 25-30, 30-25, 30-23, 15-8. The Lions went 3-0 in tournament play this weekend, defeating participants Northeastern (30-13, 30-14, 30-18) and Creighton (33-31, 31-29, 30-15) prior to Saturday evening's final matchup. Middle blocker Dina DeBernardi was named the tournament's most valuable player after recording 33 kills and six blocks on the weekend.

LMU Drops No. 7 UC Santa Barbara
The Lions used a total team performance to upset the seventh-ranked Gauchos in four games 30-27, 26-30, 30-19, 30-20. Middle blocker Dina DeBernardi recorded 23 kills with no errors, good for a .639 hitting percentage. As a team, LMU hit .338, compared to UC Santa Barbara's .211 average.

LMU Wins 2003 Furama Hotel Invitational
The Lions claimed the 2003 LMU Furama Hotel Invitational title following a 3-0 run where they won each of their nine games. LMU dropped UNLV, West Virginia, and 2002 NCAA tournament participant Sacramento State. There was a three-way tie for second place, as Sacramento State, UNLV, and West Virginia all posted records of 1-2.

Nerison Named 2003 Furama Hotel Invitational MVP
Junior Kelli Nerison was named the 2003 LMU Furama Hotel Invitational MVP. It was the first collegiate MVP selection for the middle blocker, who finished the weekend with 29 kills and 12 blocks.

Kimball and Oehlman Join Nerison on Furama Hotel Invitational All-Tournament Team
Senior Kealani Kimball and junior Nicole Oehlman joined Nerison in representing the Lions on the 2003 LMU Furama Hotel Invitational all-tournament team. Kimball posted 38 kills and 42 digs on the weekend, while Oehlman added 96 assists. Kazmiera Imrie (28 kills) and Lisa Beauchene (81 assists) of Sacramento State, Sheila Ocasio-Clemente (24 kills) of UNLV, and West Virginia's Alison Zemanski (29 kills, 9 blocks) rounded out the all-tournament selections.

The Stratos Story
In his 13 seasons as head coach of the LMU women's volleyball program, Steve Stratos has maintained a high level of excellence throughout his program, both in the classroom and on the court. Stratos has led the Lions to nine 20-win seasons and eight postseason appearances, including four consecutive in the NCAA Championships from 1997-2000. Having coached six All-Americans, as well as numerous academic all-conference selections, Stratos maintains one of the top programs in the nation. In 1996, Stratos became the first coach in West Coach Conference history to be tabbed Coach of the Year three straight seasons after leading the Lions to their third consecutive conference title. Stratos has posted a career record of 287-129, the highest winning percentage in LMU volleyball history and second most WCC victories among current conference coaches.