[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 14 (Monday, February 1, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S389]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING THE CAMPBELLSVILLE LADY TIGERS

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate the 
Campbellsville University Lady Tigers volleyball team, winners of the 
first national title for a team sport in that university's history. On 
December 5, 2009, the Lady Tigers swept the top-seeded Mount Vernon 
Nazarene University Cougars in three sets to win the National Christian 
College Athletic Association, NCCAA, Division I Women's Volleyball 
National Championship.
  The Lady Tigers' winning championship game capped an eight-match win 
streak through the NCCAA Mid-East Regional Tournament and the NCCAA 
National Tournament. Every player on the team contributed to this 
victory. The members of this championship team are Shannon Cahill, 
Lilian Da Silva, Caitlin Dresing, Whitney Haynes, Samantha James, 
Jovana Koprivicia, Brooke Marcum, Caroline Martin, Renee Netherton, 
Lilian Odek, and Christiana Sindelar.
  Two players also notched career highs on the way to this national 
championship. Senior Jovana Koprivicia of Serbia passed the 1,000 dig 
mark early this season, proving her a crucial part of this team's 
defense.
  Senior Renee Netherton of Louisville, KY, passed the 1,000 kill mark 
for her career in the final national championship match. Each one of 
those kills represents a point for the Lady Tigers that kept them on 
their march to victory.
  Winning the NCCAA national championship is obviously one of the 
greatest thrills of these girls' lifetimes. ``I'm a little nervous to 
take my uniform off, because once I do it's over,'' senior Renee 
Netherton said. ``I'm excited we went out so strong. It's such a great 
feeling to be able to picture that last hit in my head. That's going to 
stay with me forever.''
  Success came often to the Lady Tigers this season. They finished 
second in the Mid-South Conference, won the NCCAA Mid-East Region, and 
received votes in both the National Association of Intercollegiate 
Athletics, NAIA, and NCCAA national polls all season.
  Head coach Randy LeBleu not only saw his team win the championship, 
he also was named the NCCAA Division I Coach of the Year. He coached 
the Lady Tigers to 38-13 overall, a program record for wins in a 
season. This was his fifth and final season as the Lady Tigers' head 
coach; he finishes with a 172-52 career record. Assistant coach Amy 
Eckenfels, who played a key role in bringing this team to the 
championship, will take over as head coach next season.
  Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University has a tradition of 
teaching academic excellence, instilling a love of life-long learning, 
and nurturing an environment of Christian fellowship. Attracting 
students from 97 Kentucky counties, 30 States and 37 foreign nations, 
they have a student body of 3,000 and enrollment is increasing. 
Kentucky is grateful for the presence and the rewards of Campbellsville 
University.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Campbellsville 
Lady Tigers for their impressive season and for being the NCCAA 
Division I Women's Volleyball National Champions. Surely much success 
lies ahead for the members of this winning team.
  Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I rise today in the Senate to pay tribute 
to the Campbellsville University Lady Tigers of Campbellsville, KY. On 
December 5, 2009, the Lady Tigers Volleyball team won the National 
Christian College Athletic Association Division I Women's Volleyball 
National Championship in Kissimmee, FL.
  For the coaches and young women on this team, this is not just a 
trophy; it is an affirmation that anything is possible with hard work 
and determination. These young women defeated the top-seeded Mount 
Vernon Nazarene University to complete an eight-match win streak. 
Furthermore, this national title is the first national team title for 
Campbellsville University. Every single player on the team contributed 
to this remarkable feat and several individual records were set. The 
Lady Tigers finished the season with a 38-13 overall record.
  Not only are these young women excellent athletes, they also 
exemplify the great academic tradition of Campbellsville University. To 
earn this national title while measuring up to the high academic 
standards of Campbellsville University shows the dedication and work 
ethic these women possess.
  I am very proud of the accomplishments these young women have made. I 
now ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the members and 
coaching staff of the Lady Tigers for their success. Campbellsville 
University and the Commonwealth of Kentucky are fortunate to have such 
distinguished representation. These young women are role models for all 
student athletes.

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