program history, LMU entered the nation’s top-25, ranked No. 24 in the AVCA Coaches’ Poll and No. 22 by Volleyball Monthly. The glimpse of success in 1993 opened the door to the Lions dominating the WCC in women’s volleyball for the next three seasons. In 1994, they garnered the first of three consecutive WCC Championships with a 19-10 overall mark and a 12-2 conference record, earning a NCAA tournament appearance. Head Coach Steve Stratos then led LMU to its second straight WCC title and NCAA tournament appearance in 1995 with a perfect 14-0 record, the first in school history. A year later, Stratos and the West Coast Conference Champion Lions celebrated the most successful season in program history. The Lions had advanced to the NCAA’s Sweet Sixteen and finished among the nation’s top-10 in the final AVCA rankings. Dating back to the 1994 season, the Lions had racked up 31 straight WCC victories. LMU went a perfect 14-0 in WCC play for the second straight season in 1996, earning Stratos his third consecutive WCC Coach of the Year selection. He was the first coach in the history of the conference to earn the nod three straight years. He was also named the AVCA District Coach of the Year. Kim Blankinship joined Stratos in earning WCC accolades, as the Lions’ senior was named the 1996 WCC Player of the Year. Tracy Holman and Sarah Noriega, along with Blankinship, were All-WCC first-team and AVCA All-District selections. The Lions finished the regular season 25-2 and earned a bye in the first round of the NCAAs. A second-
round win over UC Santa Barbara sent the Lions to the Sweet Sixteen, where they faced a tough Washington State squad. Despite the efforts of NCAA Pacific Regional All-Tournament selections Blankinship (21 kills, 11 digs) and Noriega (30 kills, four blocks), the Lions fell 3-1. LMU finished the banner 1996 campaign with an overall record of 26-3, winning 16 of its final 17 matches and 26 of its last 28. The AVCA ranked the Lions ninth in the final 1996 poll, though LMU had climbed as high as sixth in the nation during the season. In 1997, Sarah Noriega became the first player to earn AVCA All-America first-team honors as well as Volleyball Magazine All-America second-team accolades. She was the WCC Player of the Year in 1997 after being named an All-WCC first-team selection for the third consecutive season. Noriega was a three-time All-District VIII honoree, LMU’s Female Athlete of the Year (1997-98), a participant at the U.S. Olympic Festival (1995), a World Games participant, and 2000 Olympian. In her final year as a Lion, Noriega was recognized as the AVCA National Player of the Week twice (Oct. 6 and Nov. 10). On November 7, 1997, Noriega set the NCAA record for most kills in a four-game match with 47 against San Diego, a mark which still stands today. Second-year Head Coach Frank Cruz guided the Lions to their first WCC title in eight years in 1998. With the nation’s 16th best recruiting class, nearly all of which were freshmen. LMU edged rival Pepperdine by a half game for the conference crown earning the NCAA automatic bid to the West Regional at Stanford. Freshman Michael Schultz nearly no-hit Stanford in the first round (Stanford was ranked No. 2 in the nation) shutting out the Cardinal through the seventh inning. Schultz and freshman catcher Scott Walter were named WCC Pitcher and Player of the Year, the first time
in WCC history freshmen from the same school garnered the awards. With their youth, the Lions would become the Lions third team to claim titles in three straight years. They successfully defended their conference crown, defeating Pepperdine in a three-game series for the WCC Championship at Page Stadium. The victory helped LMU win backto-back titles for the first time in program history. LHP Billy Traber led the team and the WCC with 135 strikeouts while earning first-team All-WCC honors. Anthony Angel also earned first-team honors, the only member of the squad to do so in two consecutive seasons. 2000 The new century began with baseball’s continued dominance as they had one of the most complete teams since the 1986 College World Series team. The Lions won their third straight WCC title and their eighth NCAA bid. In 2000, women’s volleyball continued their pursuit of excellence by starting the season on a seven-match winning streak which propelled them to a season-best No. 21 AVCA ranking (Sept. 4). Success of the program has carried over into individual honors as well. Among the program’s top athletes and graduates, Stratos coached Loyola Marymount’s two AVCA All-America first-team honorees, Sarah Noriega (1994-97) and Sarah McFarland (1997-00). As a member of the U.S. National Volleyball team that qualified for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia, Sarah Noriega became the third Lion to participate in the Olympic Games. Noriega became a key member of the U.S. National team in 1998. She was named team MVP for her efforts that season in 1999. As a member of the 2000 Olympic squad, Noriega finished the summer fourth on the team with 185 kills and a .393 kill percentage. Her serves wreaked havoc for opponents throughout the Summer Games as her 17 service aces ranked second best on the team. In 2001, women’s basketball earned the program’s first postseason tournament bid with an invitation to the NIT, setting up future success for the team. In addition, Edit Pakay won the West Coast Conference with a time of 17:58 in women’s cross
LMU BASEBALL MEDIA ALMANAC • 127