Stanford Cardinal

The ‘90s have belonged to Stanford’s Division I volleyball program.

When the Cardinal meets Long Beach State on Thursday in the second of two semifinals, it will be the fourth straight year Stanford has competed in the Final Four. The Cardinal won the tournament last year in Cleveland, beating Nebraska in the semifinals and Hawaii in the championship match.

If the team is fortunate enough to do so again, the senior players - Kristin Folkl, Lisa Sharpley, Barbara Ifejika, Debbie Lambert and redshirt senior Paula McNamee - will become the first volleyball class to win three titles in four years.

The tradition of volleyball runs deep at Stanford. Many players have strong ties to the sport as well as athletic-family ties.

Here’s a look at the team.

Outside hitter Kristin Folkl, Pac-10 Conference player of the year, is a two-sport athlete and will begin playing basketball when the volleyball season ends. Folkl is an old pro at big events. She’s competed in four volleyball and two basketball Final Four tournaments. Folkl also was the first alternate on the 1996 U.S. Olympic team.

Outside hitter Jaimi Gregory, was no stranger to the Stanford family when arriving two years ago. Jaimi’s father, Gerry, and Stanford coach Don Shaw played on the U.S. National team in 1978-79.

Junior Sarah Neal’s brother, Tyler, is a setter and back-row specialist on the Stanford men’s volleyball team. Sarah also sets and plays back row. The Neals’ mother, Christal, played tennis at Stanford.

Outside hitter Debbie Lambert’s family’s volleyball resume is loaded. Lambert was part of the 1994 and 1996 championship teams. Her brother, Mike, and sister Mia have won volleyball titles, Mike for Stanford and Mia for UCLA.

Senior middle Barbara Ifejika, is a four-year starter who is one of the most consistent players in school history.

Next to Folkl, volleyball followers from outside the Bay area are most familiar with sophomore middle/ outside hitter Kerri Walsh. Among her many honors, Walsh was MVP of last year’s Final Four. Last week she was named MVP of the Mountain Regional.

Stanford’s attack can only be as good as its setter. That job belongs to veteran Lisa Sharpley. Lisa was born in Brazil. Her father, Dan, was born in Brazil and her mother, Cheryl, grew up in Singapore.

One of Sarah Clark’s big moments came last year in her hometown of Kamuela, Hawaii. Lisa served match point for Stanford against the then-No. 1 Rainbows.

The freshmen already are off to hot starts. Setter Robyn Lewis toured Brazil with the U.S. National team over the summer. Middle blocker Jennifer Detmer made the Pac-10’s All-Freshman team and provides a spark off the bench.

Lindsay Kagawa saw most of her playing time when Sharpley was out in the early season with a knee injury.

There’s more to the Stanford family than just athletes. Senior Paula McNamee attended Sidwell Friends High School in Maryland. That’s also the alma mater of Stanford freshman Chelsea Clinton.

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