Greensboro Head Coach Jean Lojko attributed much of its success to two graduating seniors: Tricia Ziegler and Karen Dutton-Adams.

Dutton-Adams passed for a Pride record 1,281 assists this year. She finished her career with 2,781 assists—which puts her fourth on the all-time GC list.

 “It’s amazing what Karen’s accomplished,” said Lojko. “She was one of the top hitters in the conference in her freshman and sophomore seasons. The past two years, she’s been an even better setter.”

The name Ziegler has become synonymous with The Pride record book. She recorded 472 digs in 2000, and broke the career digs mark with 1365 in her four years at GC.

“Tricia Ziegler is one of the best athletes ever to play for Greensboro College” Lojko said. “She’s known for her hitting, but she has become a complete player.”

For the second straight year, Averett and GC battled for DIAC supremacy. The two colleges split their Dixie matches and tied for the conference regular season title. 

In the Dixie Conference Tournament, GC won two matches before facing the Cougars for the championship. The winner would earn a berth in the NCAA playoffs.

Averett prevailed in an emotional five-game match: 9-15, 15-9, 15-13, 9-15, 15-13.

There were many highlights for The Pride in the 2000 season. GC stretched its unbeaten string at Hanes Gymnasium to 25 games earlier in the season.  Southwestern University (TX), a regional power, stopped the streak in October.

Coach Lojko improved her career record at GC to 394-270 and should reach the 400 win mark early in  the 2001 season.

Although leaders Ziegler and Dutton-Adams will graduate, expect next year’s club to challenge for another conference crown.

“We should be strong next year,” said Lojko. “We return Tineta McMillan, Michelle Davis, Andi Finney and Amy Gibson, along with other players who’ll have bigger roles.”