DeSales University Athletics

The 1995 volleyball team was the first DeSales volleyball team ever to advance to the NCAA Tournament. They posted a 29-7 record and won their second of three straight Pennsylvania Athletic Conference Championships. The 29 wins still stand as the most victories in a season as their induction in 2010. Christa Hannis ’96 finished the year ranked 20th in the nation in hitting percentage and the team finished the season ranked eighth in hitting percentage and sixth in the country in service aces per game.

Hannis was honored in the post-season. She was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association Mid-Atlantic All-Region Team. She joined Barb Thomas ’95 and Stef Poh ’97 on the All-Conference PAC North Team.

Statistically, Hannis led the way with a team-high 363 kills and a .375 hitting percentage. She finished with 135 total blocks and a team-best 83 service aces. B. Thomas was second on the team with 248 kills, had a .256 hitting percentage, and added 61 total blocks, while her sister, Loretta Thomas ’98, finished third on the team in kills with 205 and had a .261 hitting percentage. L. Thomas added 74 total blocks, 53 service aces, and 235 digs.

Poh dished out a team-high 942 assists, had 293 digs, was third on the team with 62 service aces and added 53 total blocks. Sally Whittaker ’98 finished with 172 kills, ranked second on the team with 111 total blocks and 67 service aces, and finished with 286 digs. Jen Horvath ’95 rounded out the team leaders with 49 service aces and 198 digs.

“From the first day of preseason, I thought the 1995 team had a chance to be special,” said Coach John Gump. “I never dreamed it would accomplish all that it did. The players were fully committed to our system and, more importantly, to each other. Their focus was extraordinary and I don’t remember having to motivate this team. It was a special thing to watch this group respond to being challenged by other talented teams who stood in the way of what they hoped to accomplish. We had many talented players, but what made us special was how we worked as a team. Each individual carried out her role to the best of her ability and truly made the success of the group more important than her personal goals. The team that was an absolute joy to coach and the 1995 season will always be one of the highlights of my career. I’m proud to have been the coach for this team then and even more proud to stand with them tonight.”