GBC Volleyball - History and Records

* Overall Record includes results from Post-Season play
% Joined the CACC in the fall of 1999. Prior to this date, played as an Independent in NAIA Region X

Recap of the 2006 Season

The Goldey-Beacom College women’s volleyball team finished the 2006 season with a 14-13 overall mark and 12-4 in the CACC. The team advanced to the conference tournament where they defeated Wilmington College and then lost to eventual champion Philadelphia University. Junior Ashley Carberry earned All-CACC Second Team honors and junior Kendra Russell was named to the CACC All-Tournament Team.

2005 was the most successful season yet for the Goldey-Beacom College volleyball team as they posted the best season in the program’s eight year history. The Lady Lightning finished with a 25-7 overall record, a 20-2 CACC record, finished in first place in CACC regular season play, and captured the CACC Tournament title. The team also received an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II National Tournament for the first time in the program’s history. Sophomore Ashley Carberry earned All-CACC Second Team honors and was named the CACC Tournament MVP, while leading GBC with 401 kills and 151 blocks. Senior Claire Phillips was also named to the All-CACC Second team while surpassing the 1,000 career digs mark. Senior Norah Burdette and sophomore setter Danielle Hicks were named to the CACC All-Tournament Team.

The 2004 Goldey-Beacom College volleyball team posted its best season since 2001, winning 18 games and advancing to the CACC Tournament for the fifth consecutive season. During one stretch, the Lightning won 15 consecutive games, posting 3-0 wins over Holy Family, Bloomfield, Nyack, Felician and Georgian Court. Junior Norah Burdette (Ellicott City, MD) led the offense with 358 kills, earning her All-CACC Second Team honors while freshman Kendra Russell (New Castle, DE) finished third with 258 kills and a team-high 75 blocks, earning her CACC Honorable Mention honors. Additionally, freshman Adrienne Melvin (Newark, DE) posted five ‘triple-doubles’ on the season and finished second in kills (261) and assists (469) and fourth in digs (293) on the team. The Lightning posted a 9-6 record at home but one of the losses was a 3-0 upset by No. 6 Dominican College in the quarterfinals of the CACC Tournament, prematurely ending what CACC Coach of the Year Rich Bowers hoped would be a run to the CACC Championship game.

The 2003 Lady Lightning volleyball team finished their season with an 11-19 record overall and 9-9 record in the CACC. The team tied for fifth place in the conference and lost in the first round of the conference playoffs to USP.

With only two seniors, 4 freshmen and 4 sophomores, the season was a learning experience for the team. Moving to NCAA Division II full member status and playing a very strong non-conference schedule kept the team from a winning record, but the strength of the schedule will help the team next year.

The 2004 season got off to a shaky start as the team adjusted to new line-ups and a new cast of players. Injuries played a major role in defining the season for the team. Our senior middle hitter was injured in preseason and missed the whole season. This injury led to a major lineup change and several other injuries over the course of the season kept the lineup in a constant state of change. And although the team did not boast a winning record, the women played very competitive volleyball over the last half of the season and took games from almost every team they played.

The Lightning graduates only two seniors this spring each of whom will be missed for their support both on and off the court. With the majority of the team returning, the Lightning looks to have an excellent 2004 season. As Coach Bowers told his team this winter, ‘2003 was not a rebuilding season, but rather a reloading season’ as the team prepares to jump out to an aggressive start in the fall.

This past season was a roller coaster ride for the Goldey-Beacom volleyball team. Seven players graduated, one starter decided not to return and two other players transferred out, leaving a nucleus of four players to lead the charge. As expected, the beginning of the season was a struggle, while the small squad labored to find its rhythm. The team had reached a record of 2-5 when a trip to Dominican and a tri-match victory over both Dominican and Teikyo Post turned things around. The team went on an eight-match winning streak, including a thriller of a game against Nyack, in which the Lady Lightning pulled out a 17-15 victory in the 5th game.
The team finished 12-4 in the CACC, for a 2nd place finish in the Conference. The team hosted the CACC Tournament, but this time around it was Nyack that pulled out a heart-wrenching win over the Lightning. The team’s overall record of 15-12 was good enough to make the NAIA NE Regional playoffs at Nyack, but although bravely fought, the team once again fell to the conference champions, Wilmington College, creating a somewhat disappointing ending to an otherwise excellent season.

Several players had an outstanding season such as Loria Bafundo (Sr.), who led the conference in hitting percentage, and Gabrielle Pownall-Brown (Jr.) who finished second in the same category. Loria was named to the all-conference team and Gabby received honorable mention all-conference. Senior Laura Abbott received recognition as a 2002 Daktronics-NAIA All-America Scholar-Athlete for her efforts both on the court, and more importantly, in the classroom.

Goldey-Beacom had a tremendous 2001 season, going 21-9 overall and 12-2 in the CACC. A second place finish in the conference and the upset of the conference champion Bloomfield, were highlights of the 2001 season. The Lady Lightning is the only team to defeat Bloomfield in conference play over the last two seasons.

Several players had outstanding seasons for the Lightning. Senior captain Kelly Lake led the team in hitting and finished third in the conference in hitting percentage and second in kills per game. Kelly was named All-Conference and All-Region. Senior Stacy Lumb and Junior Kate Kennedy were also named All-Conference and All-Region.

This year’s squad fell under new management, as Richard Bowers took the lead as Head Coach.

The team finished the 2000 season with an overall record of 23-8 (11-4 in CACC). The team faced and defeated U. of Maine Machias (3-1) at the Regional semis, then lost in straight sets to Bloomfield College at the Finals. Senior Stephanie Topolie and Junior Kelly Lake were both named to the All Region X Team.

The GBC Lightning opened their second season by winning the Labor Day Haverford Invitational Tournament. In spite of its highly competitive schedule, the Lady Lightning powered its way to a 24-13 season record.

The GBC Lightning opened its first season of competition with a blast, finishing the season at 18-12. Three of its players were recognized to the CACC All-Conference team. Power hitter Stephanie Topolie (So.) was selected to the All-Conference 2nd team, while setter Audie Browne and power hitter Kelly Lake (Fr.) were recognized with All-Conference Honorable Mentions.