By Esteban Ramirez
Sports Editor
It continues to be a year to remember for CSU Bakersfield’s volleyball program.
On Feb. 6, Mayor Harvey Hall presented the volleyball team with Mayor’s Appreciation Medals and the coaching staff with Certificate of Appreciation plaques at the Icardo Room for being the first CSUB team to win a Western Athletic Conference Tournament Championship and making the NCAA Division I Volleyball Tournament.
Senior middle blocker Molly O’Hagan said it was a huge honor to receive the medals from Hall.
“It was an insane honor,” O’Hagan said. “It was great to meet the Mayor and to hear that he was proud of us and that we made Bakersfield proud. It was nice to make CSUB proud, but it means even more to make Bakersfield proud.
“It’s just so surreal. It’s crazy what winning a few volleyball games can feel like and what it does. It’s just such an amazing experience to share with the girls and to meet new people. It’s just great and unreal.”
“I think it’s an amazing recognition,” CSUB Director of Volleyball Giovana Melo said on Hall recognizing her team and coaching staff. “It’s an honor and I’m proud of the team and everything that they have accomplished. It’s crazy and I think things like this remind you a little bit of that moment and it really put things in perspective. It was a good season and it deserved this kind of recognition. It has sunk in, but every day things like this happen that remind you of it.”
On Nov. 22, the ’Runners swept Seattle University (25-22, 25-21, 25-17) in the WAC Tournament Finals and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Volleyball Tournament where they played at the time number-one ranked Stanford University. The ’Runners were swept by the Cardinal (25-21, 25-21, 25-18), but played them tough in all three sets.
CSUB recognized the memorable season that the team had by extending Melo’s contract by one year.
“I’m so happy to have this opportunity to bring recognition to the volleyball team and the coaching staff,” Hall said. “I’m proud of the players and the coaches for the success that they have had this season.
“Anytime we can bring further identity to California State University, Bakersfield through our athletic programs and through our education opportunities then that’s a positive thing for the university. That’s what I tried to do today. I wanted to give the players and coaches a pat on the back because it really is special when you’re tournament champions.”
