1990 Linden High Volleyball Team

The 1990 Linden High School Volleyball team will always be remembered as the first Linden
High School team to win a state championship. But it was the unique blend of talented coaches,
players and supportive families that made this team special beyond that historical
accomplishment. They had tremendous support from the community but most importantly from
their families. No matter where they played, they always had a home crowd. This blend of talent
and support is what propelled this group of women to greatness.

Following losses in the finals for the state championship in 1988 & 1989, Head Coach Bill Rood
decided that the Lady Lions needed a more challenging preseason schedule for the 1990 season.
After victories over Ripon Christian, Tokay, Lodi, Manteca, a 1 st place finish at the Summerville
Tournament and a 2 nd place finish at the Oak Ridge Chris Craft Memorial Tournament, the Lions
were prepared to continue their dominance of the Mother Lode League.

A 10-0 record during league play extended the Lady Lions M.L.L. win streak to 34 straight
victories dating back to 1987. Their success was a direct reflection of what Coach Rood
describes as a “blue collar” work ethic. He would go on to say, “This team had a highly
competitive nature. They practiced hard every day. They would get on each other’s case if
someone was loafing. Our intra squad scrimmages were often tougher than our matches.”
The 1990 team was loaded with talent in what Coach Rood described as a line up of
interchangeable parts. “I could sub liberally without much drop off in performance. I think this
had a big effect in game 5 of the state final.” Eight of the 12 players would continue their careers
in college.

With those losses in the state finals looming over their heads, the Lady Lions went through the
1990 season with a “chip on their shoulder”. They had something to prove, as many teams,
coaches, and experts in the area didn’t think too much of them. It seemed proving themselves
was a regular occurrence and that was never more evident than in the section playoffs. The Lady
Lions won the Sac-Joaquin Section title by breezing through victories over Patterson, Ripon
Christian, Loretto and St. Helena by an average victory margin of 9 points per game.
Next up was the Nor-Cal playoffs and this seemed to be just another stepping stone for this
special team. To this team, defeat was not an option and they continued their dominance with
victories over Happy Camp, Sacred Heart and St. Vincent by an average victory margin of 7
points per game.

The Lady Lions traveled to Pomona to take on Southern California champion, powerful Garces
Memorial in the state final. The Lady Lions would continue their dominance in the first game,
winning 15-7. But they stumbled badly in the next 2 games, losing 3-15 and 4-15. The team
couldn’t serve well, pass well or hit. As Coach Rood remembered, “We were frustrated,
downcast, even embarrassed. That is when our assistant coach Ann Sisson, who is more fiery
than I am, stepped in. She took the team outside during the break between games 3 and 4 for a
breath of fresh air and fire!” Apparently it was just what the doctor ordered as they would win
games 4 and 5 in convincing fashion, 15-5 and 15-3.

The Linden Athletic Hall of Fame is proud and honored to induct the 1990 State Champion
Volleyball Team into its Athletic Hall of Fame.

1990 Season Results