Lions’ women’s teams have been example of small-town feel the

athletic department promotes

Steve Virgen

Most athletic departments instill a family-type atmosphere within

their programs. That can assuredly be said about Vanguard University

athletics. And, because the school is a small, private university,

and one based on Christianity, the family concept is all the more

apparent.

“In all good families there is leadership and the ability to have

open discussions,” Vanguard Athletic Director Bob Wilson said. “Not

all families have everything and Vanguard certainly doesn’t have

everything. But student athletes try to make the best of what they

have in terms of their skills and their abilities and the facilities

we do have.”

Today’s Checking Out series highlights the Vanguard women’s teams,

which includes the basketball squad that perhaps is the best example

of the school’s family mentality.

The Lions’ women’s basketball team made school history this past

season and its team chemistry was a big reason the squad was able to

defy the odds. The Lions were picked to finish ninth in the Golden

State Athletic Conference by the circuit’s coaches. But they used

that as motivation to capture the GSAC championship and then they

went on to earn their first NAIA Final Four berth.

In the NAIA national tournament, Vanguard completed a thrilling

comeback victory over Oklahoma Christian in the quarterfinals. The

Lions outscored Oklahoma Christian, 17-2, in the final 5:58 to gain a

61-60 win.

“I have never seen anything like that in my life,” Vanguard Coach

Russ Davis said at the time.

Wilson agreed with Davis and also said the Lions were unique

because of their ability to focus on team basketball.

“They were not the most talented team on the floor every night,”

Wilson said. “But because of the leadership they had and the

camaraderie they had they were able to win. They did have talent.

And, they were just fun to watch because they never gave up. In the

national tournament they were down by 11 with two minutes left

against Oklahoma Christian, but they came back and won. It was just

fun to watch. Russ did a great job. A lot of the credit has to go to

him because he has developed that.”

The Lions will attempt to repeat last year’s courageous run, but

they will have to do so without the 2003 senior class that included

Jessica Lenderman, Laura Lee, Paulette Seaman, Courtney McKinney,

Deborah Candelaria and Robbin Dittenbir.

However, Davis has produced one of his best recruiting classes and

the Lions were fortunate enough to gain transfer Lisa Faulkner, a

starting point guard from UC Irvine.

Davis will continue to educate his players about his system, but

his teachings also go beyond the felt-pen marks on a clipboard.

Vanguard’s basketball team not only set a higher standard on the

basketball court, the Lions were also recognized, nationally, for

different qualities. That became evident when Lenderman was named the

recipient of the Dr. LeRoy Walker sportsmanship award by the NAIA.

Lenderman, who earned a 4.0 grade point average in Vanguard’s

exercise sports program, was selected from a group of 306 and

received the award that recognizes the athlete who demonstrates the

qualities of scholarship, character and sportsmanship.

“Probably the greatest thing that happened for us this past year

and what I think was the real reflection of the family atmosphere of

our program was the fact that Jessica Lenderman was selected [for the

sportsmanship award],” Wilson said. “That’s a significant achievement

for her and reflects what our entire athletic program is all about.”

In addition to the basketball squad, the Lions are anticipating

breakout-type seasons from the rest of their women’s teams.

Wilson said the volleyball team is capable of making the jump to

the upper half of the GSAC.

“If you’re in the upper half, you’re one of the top 20 teams in

the country,” Wilson said. “You might go to the national tournament.

“[Volleyball] has really struggled every year since I’ve been

here,” Wilson continued. “But [Coach Erikka Gulbranson] started a

base two years ago. The freshman are now juniors. She also had some

good recruiting.”

Just as the basketball team, the Vanguard tennis team also enjoyed

a winning season. The Lions (15-13) finished ninth in the 24-team

NAIA tennis championships. They did not lose any one to graduation

and added two new players.

The women’s cross country team, coached by Bryan Wilkins, is a bit

similar to the men’s program, in that its runners also strengthen the

track and field squad. With Sarah Hall, Jenny Thune and Liz Huipe,

the Lions are expected to contend for high individual honors in both

sports.

Beth Renkoski, who is also Vanguard’s sports information director,

will enter her seventh season as head coach of the softball team. The

Lions finished 27-26-1, 10-18 in the competitive GSAC, but Wilson

said they are hoping for a pitcher to burst onto the scene and that

could push the Lions into the conference’s elite.

Wilson said the Vanguard soccer team will use the upcoming season

to rebuild, but the Lions might have a chance to show quick results

this year. Coach Kerry Crooks will hope her young players learn fast

and improve last season’s record, 8-7-3, 5-4-1 in the GSAC.