The 1988 Fort Lewis College volleyball squad was the first women's team in any sport to advance to the NAIA or NCAA playoffs since women's sports became sanctioned by those groups in 1981. With a 38-5 overall record and a perfect 6-0 RMAC slate, the 1988 Raiders are the most successful volleyball team in school history.
The team opened the season in fine fashion, reeling off a school-record 21 straight victories before losing its first match of the year at Air Force on Oct. 2. The Raiders won tournament championships at Southern Colorado and Fort Hays State during their incredible first month.
The team entered postseason play with a 29-2 record, and won five of six matches at the NAIA District VII championships in Durango on Nov. 4-5, 1988, to add the district trophy to their bounty. An exciting five-game win over Westmont on Nov. 11 in the Fort Lewis College Fieldhouse (since renamed the Whalen Gymnasium) meant a bi-district title and a berth in the NAIA Nationals in Topeka, Kans. It also marked the first-ever volleyball math to be broadcast on the radio in Durango.
The Raiders went 2-2 in pool play at the NAIA Nationals on Nov. 17-18.
Three members of the 1988 volleyball squad have also been inducted into the Fort Lewis College Athletic Hall of Fame as individuals — Liz Palmer (1985-88) in 1998, Kelly (Nanna) Moore (1988-90) in 2000 and Paige Teel in 2001.
Other members of the 1988 volleyball team include head coach Marcy Jung; players Karen Bell (1986-89), Carolyn (Ryle) Degarmo (1985-88), Beth (Schafer) Kruetzer (1987-88), Kathleen (Braiden) Stalker (1988-91), Belinda (Anderson) Swope (1986-89), Patricia (Larsen) Webster (1987-89) and Dawn Wise (1987); and student athletic trainer Janice Lister.
Jung retired as the school's head volleyball coach in 1988 after posting an overall record of 218-203 (.518) in 13 years. She led the Raiders to RMAC championships in 1988, 1990, and 1994. Her 218 victories and .518 winning percentage is best in school history.
