Nov. 25, 1997

Folkl Named Pac-10 Player of the Year

Shaw Garners Co-Coach of the Year Honors

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - Stanford senior outside hitter Kristin Folkl has been named the Pacific-10 Conference Volleyball Player of the Year, Commissioner Tom Hansen announced Tuesday.

Folkl, a 1994 AVCA All-American and two-time second-team AVCA All-American, earned Pac-10 Player of the Week honors once in 1997 and AVCA Division I National Player of the Week once. Folkl was a major force in leading Stanford to its third undefeated Conference season in school history. Folkl headlines the 12-member All-Pac-10 Team, and becomes only the sixth four-time All-Pac-10 selection.

Folkl, from St. Louis, Mo., owns the Conference's second-best attack percentage (.372) and kills per game average (5.58) in 1997. In Pac-10 action alone, she has the top mark of 5.59 kills per game. During her four-year career at Stanford, the Cardinal boasted a 61-1 record at Maples Pavilion.

Joining Folkl on the All-Pac-10 Team are senior middle blocker Barbara Ifejika, senior setter/outside hitter Lisa Sharpley and sophomore middle blocker/outside hitter Kerri Walsh.

Stanford coach Don Shaw and USC coach Lisa Love are Pac-10 Co-Coaches of the Year. Shaw led Stanford to its fourth consecutive Pac-10 Championship and its third perfect 18-0 Conference record. Stanford currently has a 23-match win streak and dating back to 1996 has won 25 straight Conference matches. Shaw has also coached the defending National Champions to an unblemished road record, as the team amassed a perfect 14-0 record and did not drop a game in any of those matches. Shaw has compiled a 377-63 (.857) record in his 14 years as head coach. His winning percentage is the top mark in NCAA history.

Stanford University Women's Volleyball