Volleyball at 40

The 2020 LMU Women's Volleyball season marks the program's 40th Anniversary.

One of the university's most successful programs over its history, women's volleyball has played in 14 NCAA Tournaments and won the conference to become WCC Champions in 1986, 1994, 1995, and 1996.

The 1996 and 2015 LMU women's volleyball teams have posted the most successful seasons in program history, reaching the NCAA Sweet Sixteen both years.

The 1996 Lions managed a 26-3 overall record that year, won the third of four consecutive WCC titles, and notched their second straight undefeated conference season. The Lions defeated UC Santa Barbara in the second round of the 1996 NCAA Tournament before advancing to the NCAA Tournament's Pacific Regional Semifinals, where they dropped a tightly-fought match to Washington State. Those Lions ultimately finished the campaign ranked ninth nationally in the AVCA coaches poll. The team was inducted into the LMU Hall of Fame in 2015.

Matching the Sweet Sixteen feat, LMU's 2015 squad went 24-9 overall and 13-5 in WCC play to finish tied for third. One of four WCC teams to make the NCAA Tournament that year, LMU's journey began in a familiar place - earning a spot in the Stanford Regional where it began the 2012 and 2014 NCAA Tournaments. The third time proved to be the charm for LMU, as the unranked Lions defeated #13 Colorado State in four before sweeping #6 Stanford on the road to advance to the Sweet Sixteen in San Diego, Calif. There, LMU ran into #9 Kansas, who ended the historic run in four sets.

A total of five LMU volleyball players have had their jersey numbers retired after stellar careers at LMU.  The five individuals, Mardell Wrensch (2), Tracy Holman (9), Sarah McFarland (14), Sarah Noriega (16), and Kealani Kimball (18), not only distinguished themselves as some of the best athletes in the country, but also represented LMU with dignity and pride.  Their names, numbers and accomplishments will forever be etched into LMU history.

Throughout the 2020 season, LMU will be celebrating the program's rich history.