[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 20 (Tuesday, March 1, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 1, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
CONGRESSMAN HORN HONORS CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH WOMEN'S 
                       VOLLEYBALL TEAM

                                 ______


                           HON. STEPHEN HORN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 1, 1994

  Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 1993 NCAA 
Women's Volleyball Champions--the California State University, Long 
Beach 49ers. The 49er women wowed not only the 11,114 people in 
attendance at the University of Wisconsin Fieldhouse, but the thousands 
of friends, family, and fans watching at home in Long Beach.
  This group of outstanding young women fought long and hard on 
December 18 to defeat a very skilled and determined Penn State team. 
The record-breaking crowd watched the 49er women overcome their 
opposition 15-13, 12-15, 15-11, 16-14. This well-fought victory over 
the Nittany Lions was the university's third national title and second 
in a 4-year span under Coach Brian Gimmillaro.
  ``It was a war,'' coach Gimmillaro was quoted as saying about the 
1993 championship. ``I am so proud of how they played. Not only were we 
up against a very good team, we were up against 10,000 fans. But it was 
great. It was a great comeback for us [in game four] and our players 
displayed great character.''
  Coach Gimmillaro led his team to a 32-2 season. Joining him in taking 
the lead was All-American Danielle Scott who finished the season with 
not just a national title, but with the National Player of the Year 
Award. But much of the credit for the team's victorious season finale 
was given to junior and two-time All-American, Nichelle Burton.
  Pamela Lewis in her December 19, 1993, Long Beach Press-Telegram 
column said:

       *** it was the superb performance by Burton that kept Long 
     Beach from a decisive 5th game. With her team trailing 14-11, 
     she prevented a fifth, rally-scoring game by putting away 5 
     of her match-high 28 kills. With her kills, she scored the 
     12th and 14th points to tie the score, and got three 
     sideouts, one of which led to the 13th point.

  However, it takes the efforts of an entire team to win such a close 
tournament championship and to have such a victorious season. Setter 
Joy McKienzie was selected to be second-team All-American, helping the 
team win more All-American recognition than any other Division 1 
program. Together, they recorded 28 sweeps--that is, 28 match wins of 3 
games to 0--defeated 13 nationally ranked teams, and won a third 
consecutive Big West Conference title.
  Today, I would like to join with the family, friends, and fans of 
Nichelle Burton, Allyson Carpenter, Traci Dahl, Shawnee Hayes, Heather 
Hofmans, Michelle Jones, Joy McKienzie, Prentice Perkins, Brita 
Schwerm, Danielle Scott, Krissee Sether, Stephanie Streeks, and Sarah 
White, in commending and congratulating them for their hard work and 
tireless efforts in ensuring this outstanding season and triumphant 
national championship.

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