The Mount Vernon Nazarene
University women’s volleyball team has added
an important recruit for the 2008 season
with the addition of Gina Porto, who has
decided to further her education at MVNU and
continue her volleyball career with the Lady
Cougars.
Porto,
a 6-foot middle hitter from Tipp City, Ohio,
recorded 195 kills, 54 blocks, 43 digs, and
52 aces as a senior at Tippecanoe High
School. She was a two-time Central Buckeye
Conference First Team, All-Area First Team,
and All-District First Team selection. She
also holds the school records for blocks in
a season (71 in 2006) and blocks in a career
(186). She helped Tippecanoe to a 69-10
record over the past three years with three
conference titles, two sectional
championships, and a regional title and a
berth in the state Final Four with a 28-1
record as a senior.
"Gina is a great addition to the MVNU
volleyball program,” said MVNU coach Paul
Swanson, who is the NAIA’s all-time wins
leader (849) and has a 834-287 record in 24
years with the Lady Cougars. "She comes from
a very strong high school program as well as
an outstanding club situation. Her
volleyball experience and skill will make
her competitive right away at the
all-important middle hitter position.”
"Gina will also be a super teammate for
the Lady Cougars,” Swanson added. "A strong
Christian commitment, delightful
personality, and an outstanding student
makes her someone our team is really looking
forward to having an MVNU uniform on.”
In addition to playing volleyball at
Tippecanoe and on her club team, she was a
member of National Honor Society and served
as the treasurer.
"There are several reasons why I chose
MVNU,” said Porto of her college choice. "My
faith is most important in my life, and MVNU
offers me a chance to grow spiritually and
academically at the same time. I also loved
the small-school feel and location in
regards to my hometown. The final reason was
to continue my volleyball career there with
Coach Swanson.”
MVNU posted a 39-5 overall record in
2007, won both the American Mideast
Conference South Division and NAIA Region IX
Tournament titles, and advanced to the NAIA
National Tournament for the first time in
school history. The Lady Cougars have won 30
or more matches in 15 straight seasons.