UNA's 2003 National Championship

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The University of North Alabama volleyball team's 2003 NCAA Division II National Championship was an unlikely end to a season that began with great promise but appeared to be headed for an unexpectedly quick end. UNA had boasted one of the most powerful collegiate volleyball programs in the nation over the last eight years, making eight straight NCAA Tournament appearances and going to three Elite Eights. But entering the 2003 NCAA Tournament, the Lions had lost seven matches. That was a loss total the Lions had only seen once since 1995. UNA had also failed to win the Gulf South Conference championship for the fi rst time in eight years, losing in the championship match to Harding. UNA had also fallen out of the Division II poll during the 2003 season, ending a streak of being ranked in 83 consecutive polls. The Lions entered the 2003 post-season ranked No. 23 in the nation. Despite the odds, UNA rolled through six NCAA Tournament matches undefeated and claimed not only the fi rst volleyball national championship in school history but also the fi rst national title ever won by a UNA women's athletic team. It was also the fi rst NCAA volleyball title for a school from the state of Alabama or the Gulf South

TOP PHOTO: All-American Yana Ninova at 2003 NCAA Tournament;

MIDDLE PHOTO: UNA celebrates the 2003 Volleyball National Championship at San Bernardino, Calif.,

BOTTOM PHOTO: In action at the 2003 Elite Eight are, from left, Traci Venable, Te'Jaye Redd and Vanessa Ferretti

Vanessa Ferretti

Conference. First UNA avenged its GSC Tournament loss to Harding, routing the Lady Bisons 3-0. The Lions then destroyed host Truman State 3-0 before claiming the South Central Region title with a 3-2 win over Region title with a 3-2 win over Central Missouri State. At the Elite Eight in San Bernardino, Calif., UNA beat Lock Haven 3-2 in the quarterfi nal, then beat Grand Valley State 3-1 to advance to the championship match. In the fi nals it was all UNA as the Lions defeated

Concordia-St. Paul 3-0 (30-24, Concordia-St. Paul 3-0 (30-24, 30-28, 30-22) for the national 30-28, 30-22) for the national title. UNA closed the season at 33-7. In addition to head coach Matt Peck being named Division II Coach of the Year, seniors Yana Ninova and Ashley Moffi tt were named to AllAmerica teams. It was the third time in four years for Moffi tt to earn All-America honors, while Ninova made All-American for the second time. The duo both earned All-GSC and All-South Central Region honors for the fourth consecutive year and played on Lion teams that posted a combined 135-19 record. Senior Te'Jaye Redd was named honorable mention All-American and was also an All-GSC and All-South Central Region pick. Coach Matt Peck departed following the conclusion of the season but his legacy at UNA includes a 312-61 record over nine seasons, seven Gulf South Conference championships, eight NCAA Tournament appearances, four regional titles and one Division II National Championship.