[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 171 (Monday, December 20, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S10813]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                   PENNSYLVANIA VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONS

 Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, today I congratulate the 
Pennsylvania State University's women's volleyball team on their fourth 
consecutive NCAA championship. With its December 18, 2010, sweep of the 
University of California, the Nittany Lions became the only team in 
division I women's volleyball history to win four consecutive national 
titles. Prior to this streak, no NCAA women's volleyball team had ever 
won consecutive national championships.
  The team was led by Head Coach Russ Rose. Coach Rose has coached the 
Nittany Lions for the last 32 years. He coached Penn State to an NCAA 
championship in 1999, and together with the recent four consecutive 
championships, his five NCAA titles are more than any other coach in 
division I volleyball history. Coach Rose was aided by assistant 
coaches Dennis Hohenshelt and Kaleena Davidson, as well as director of 
Volleyball Operations Adam Hughes.
  The team members have also distinguished themselves individually. 
Freshman Deja McClendon was named by the American Volleyball Coaches 
Association as the national freshman of the year. Her performance 
during the championship tournament led to her being named the Most 
Outstanding Player of the final four. Senior Blair Brown became the 
sixth straight Nittany Lion to be named the Big Ten Player of the Year. 
She was also recently named as a finalist for the 2010-11 Honda Sports 
Award. The award is given to the top female collegiate athlete in the 
sport. Brown, along with fellow seniors Arielle Wilson and Alyssa 
D'Errico were members of each of the four national championship teams, 
and have won 24 consecutive tournaments together.
  Members of the 2010 championship team include: Ariel Scott, Katie 
Kabbes, Fatima Balza, Jessica Ullrich, Kristin Carpenter, Maddie 
Martin, Arielle Wilson, Erica Denney, Blair Brown, Darcy Dorton, Alyssa 
D'Errico, Megan Shifflett, Cathy Quilico, Maggie Harding, Katie Slay, 
Deja McClendon, Krosby Pabst, Mikinzie Moydell, and Ali Longo.
  The hard work and dedication of these young women is exemplary. I 
congratulate them, their coaches, and the students, faculty, staff and 
alumni of the Pennsylvania State University on a record-setting 
season.

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