FRESNO, CA -- What is a three-peat worth?
For the Fresno Pacific volleyball team, it was worth the Dorothy Boyce Moment Award at the annual ceremony of USA Volleyball.
FPU coach Dennis Janzen and Sunbirds player Lauren Albertson were in Phoenix for the banquet, which honored American volleyball players, teams and coaches of all levels.
Fresno Pacific was given the annual Moment Award for winning its third straight NAIA volleyball championship last fall. Janzen’s team shared the award with Penn State and Concordia of St. Paul.
Penn State won its third straight NCAA Division I championship and Concordia won the NCAA D-II title for the third straight year.
That was an unprecedented triple three-peat. Only once had any college team win three straight national championships.
The prestigious award is given annually. The 2009 winners were U.S. Olympians from the 2008 Games.
The banquet featured highlight films of all three teams and Janzen spoke to the assembled throng. FPU president Merrill Ewert also was in attendance.
“It was a wonderful recognition for FPU and the Sunbirds,” Ewert said. “Congratulations to Dennis Janzen and his team.”
Janzen said: "To be recognized by USA Volleyball with the Dorothy Boyce Moment Award alongside a great program like Penn State is an incredible honor for Fresno Pacific University and the Sunbird volleyball program.
“This is obviously a shared honor that acknowledges the extraordinary commitment and ability of student-athletes, assistant coaches, administration, and athletic support staff over these past three years. We feel very honored.”