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MVNU's Swanson Becomes NAIA's All-Time Wins Leader
written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director

BEAVER FALLS, Pa. - Paul Swanson, the head coach of the Mount

Vernon Nazarene University women’s volleyball team, became the NAIA’s all-time leader in victories on Thursday night as the Lady Cougars posted a 30-23, 30-26, 30-18 non-conference victory at Geneva (Pa.) College for his 798th career win.

Swanson, who is in his 23rd season at MVNU and his 24th season overall at the NAIA level, improved his career record to 798-287 (.735 winning percentage) as he moved past former Georgetown (Ky.) College coach Donna Hawkins, who posted a 797-253 record from 1979-2004.

"When I think about this milestone, I think of how much the Lord has blessed me and this program,” said Swanson. "We have had so many great players and people come through this program over the years, and this milestone is really a culmination of all of their contributions and hard work. Reaching a certain number of wins has never been something that I have set out to do. I have always wanted to see my players grow and achieve great things both on and off the court, and reaching this mark reminds me of so many great things that have happened in the lives of the players and their families over the years.”

Junior middle hitter Shena Beheler led the Lady Cougars (19-8) with eight kills and five blocks, while sophomore middle hitter Lindsey Anderson pounded six kills. Senior outside hitter Katie Ickes, freshman right-side hitter Courtney Springer, and freshman middle hitter Stephanie Zollars all added five kills apiece with Springer and Zollars also posted six and five blocks respectively. Senior setter Rachael Walpole handed out 14 assists to go with eight digs, and freshman setter Kaylin Austen also contributed 13 assists. Junior libero Tiffany Milburn served up two aces with a team-high 16 digs, while senior outside hitter Katie Vipperman tallied eight digs.

With the victory, Swanson now needs just two more wins to become only the ninth active college volleyball coach at any level to record 800 wins. The Lady Cougars will be back in action on Tuesday when MVNU will host Cedarville University, ranked 12th in the latest NAIA national poll, in an American Mideast Conference South Division match that will begin at 7:00 p.m. The Lady Cougars will also host a tri-match with Urbana University and Walsh University next Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. respectively.

NAIA All-Time Coaching Wins List (through Sept. 28, 2006)

#	Name	School(s) & Years	Record
1	Paul Swanson	Waynesburg (Pa.) 1983 and Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio) 1984-present)	798-287
2	Donna Hawkins	Georgetown (Ky.) 1979-2004	797-253
3	Jerry Abraham	Madonna (Mich.) 1987-present	791-206
4	Marlene Piper	Portland State (Ore.) 1969-1983; California 1984-1987; California-Davis 1988-1993; and Willamette (Ore.) 1994-1998*	780-291
5	Susan Duke	Southwest Texas State 1970-1972 and Texas Lutheran 1973-1993	738-321
6	Stew McDole	Graceland (Iowa) 1982-present	736-351
7	Susie Toomey	East Tennessee State 1970-1972# and King (Tenn.) 1985-present	732-220
8	Dennis Janzen	Fresno Pacific (Calif.) 1983-1991, 1994-present	691-162
9	Marian Pesky	Briar Cliff (Iowa) 1969-1993	634-283
10	Tracy Rietzke	Kansas Wesleyan 1982-1987 and Rockhurst (Mo.) 1988-1997*	630-118
11	Jody Wise	Fort Hays State (Kan.) 1978-1995 and Concordia (Calif.) 1996-2000	627-493
12	Gene Hall	Culver-Stockton (Mo.) 1981-2000	614-250
13	Brenda Williams	Alabama-Birmingham 1980-1991 and Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) 1996-present	597-413
14	Chris Meyer	Illinois Tech 1979-2002	596-240
15	Rich Luenemann	Saint Francis (Ill.) 1981-1998	590-262
16	Mike Gibson	Michigan-Dearborn 1983-present	568-494
17	Rick Hall	Seton Hill (Pa.) 1982-present	528-248
18	Andrea Hudson	Lee (Tenn.) 1991-present	515-185
19	Cindy Meyer	Doane (Neb.) 1986-present	497-253
20	Angie Fincannon	Taylor (Ind.) 1991-2004	496-133

* denotes school left NAIA after this year
# denotes no records were available for these years
italics indicates coaches still active at NAIA schools in 2006