Coach Jean Lojko and the Greensboro College volleyball team had another outstanding season in 2002. The Pride finished 26-9 and was 12-2 in Dixie Conference games. 

GC earned regional rankings twice during the season. For Lojko, it was her tenth season with 20 or more victories. 

The Pride swept the Dixie Conference individual player honors. Junior Amy Gibson was chosen DIAC player-of-the-year and Katie Smith was the conference rookie-of-the-year.

Smith and Gibson were first team Dixie selections and teammate Stephanie Hartman gained second team recognition for the second year in a row. 

Gibson, a middle hitter, was ranked as high as second in the nation in hitting percentage during the season. She closed the year averaging 3.8 kills per game and hit a DIAC-best .390.

Smith—like teammate Gibson—dominated matches at times in the season. The Northwest Guilford graduate averaged 3.6 kills and conference-leading 1.3 blocks per game. She was the only Pride player named to the DIAC Tournament Team, which was hosted by GC.

Hartman and Katy McRackan were selected to the Verizon-CoSIDA regional academic teams. McRackan earned third team honors and Hartman was a first team pick. With her first team selection, the junior setter moves onto the ballot for national honors.

GC had sights on an NCAA tournament appearance in ‘02, and the outlook is even better for next year. The Pride had no seniors on its roster.

 “At times we showed the type of team we can be,” said Lojko. “With Amy and Stephanie being seniors next year, and everybody else working together as a team, we can reach higher goals in 2003.”
 

2002 GC Volleyball Honors  Amy Gibson, Dixie player-of-Year,  Dixie first team, Dixie volleyball player-of-week (4x); Stephanie Hartman, Verizon CoSIDA national academic 2nd team; DIAC second team, Verizon CoSIDA regional academic first team; Katy McRackan, Verizon CoSIDA regional academic third team; Katie Smith, Dixie rookie-of-Year, Dixie First Team, DIAC tournament team, Guilford tournament MVP, Dixie volleyball rookie-of-week (3x).

Amy Gibson:  DIAC MVP