The 1997 and 1998 Regis volleyball teams, coached by Frank Lavrisha, had a combined overall record of 63-8 and a combined RMAC record of 35-3.
In 1997, the Rangers had a 21-0 home record and were ranked as high as No.3, including the final poll. The team was the RMAC Champion, RMAC Tournament Champion, and made it to the NCAA DII Volleyball Quarterfinals. The following season, the Rangers went 16-1 at home and were again both the RMAC Champions and RMAC Tournament Champions. The team reached as high as No. 2 in the national rankings, made it to the NCAA DII Volleyball Semifinals, and finished ranked at No. 4 in the country.
Both teams included nationally recognized players. In 1997, Jeanine Dwyer, Shannon Nelson, and Melinda Almazan were named First-Team All-Americans. In 1998, Almazan was a First-Team All-American and Dwyer was a Second-Team All-America selection. That same year, Almazan was the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Player of the Year.
All three women were named First-Team All-RMAC both years, and Almazan was the RMAC Player of the Year both years, as well. Coach Lavrisha, who coached the Rangers from 1986 to 2016, was named RMAC Co-Coach of the Year in 1997.
Almazan was inducted to the Regis Athletics Hall of Fame in 2004 and was also named to the RMAC Volleyball All-Time Team in 2008, in honor of the conference’s Centennial Celebration. The 1998 Regis Rangers volleyball team was inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006 for their accomplishments.
Link to Feature Story
Link to Induction Video