Pepperdine WVB Feature: Former Players, Colleagues Reflect on Matthies' 500th Win
MALIBU, Calif. - It was a very special evening at the Firestone Fieldhouse on Friday night as the Waves’ women’s volleyball head coach, Nina Matthies, won her 500th career match. Pepperdine defeated Seattle University, 25-15, 25-20, 25-16, on the first day of the Pepperdine Asics Classic. The Waves are ranked 19th in the nation with a 6-1 record.
“I’m proud of it but I’m not a stat person,” said Matthies, who has a career overall mark of 500-295 (.629) and is in her 27th season. “It says more about the consistency of the athletes in the program. You are only as good as your players and the coaches you surround yourself with. This is about Pepperdine volleyball and we are to be proud of what WE have achieved.”
Matthies began her career at Pepperdine as head coach in 1983 after working as an assistant for six years under current UCLA head coach Andy Banachowski. She has been the backbone to a strong women’s volleyball program that has established itself as one of the elite teams year in and year out in the West Coast Conference. Matthies has led the Waves to 10 West Coast Conference titles and is the WCC’s all-time winningest coach with a conference mark of 268-64 (.807). She has been honored as the WCC’s Coach of the Year six times and as co-Coach of the Year an additional three times.
Matthies’ devotion and dedication to the sport has earned her respect and admiration throughout the Pepperdine community and in women’s volleyball. Volleyball Magazine named Matthies as one of the “Most Influential People in the First 100 Years of Volleyball.” In 2004, she was named to the 75th Anniversary All-Era Team by USA Volleyball. At UCLA, she was honored as one of “The 25 Greatest Players in UCLA History” and her #36 jersey was retired in 1987.
Banachowski recognized Matthies’ most recent achievement.
“I'd like to pass along my congratulations to Nina on reaching her 500 wins,” said Banachowski. “Nina's competitive spirit was and is the energizing force that drove her to be such a successful player and coach. Congrats Nina, May there be many more wins and successes.”
Pepperdine has been blessed to have a coach who has made such a positive impact in the lives of her current and former players. This year’s team is led by senior captains, Rachel Grochmal and Kiah Fiers. Each of them has felt the genuine influence of their head coach.
“I am very happy for her,” said Grochmal. “She sincerely loves her players. She is competitive and continues to work hard to make this a great program.”
Fiers echoed the feelings of her teammate: “She really deserves this. I have followed the program since I was 14 years old and am proud to be a part of it. She is intense and determined to do well. Off the court, she is very helpful with anything we need. She shares a lot of wisdom with us.”
Dr. John Watson, Director of Athletics at Pepperdine, is very appreciative of the impression Matthies has had on all her players and the entire Pepperdine community.
“She is a phenomenal teacher of the sport and mentor to the student-athletes. Reaching 500 wins is remarkable,” said Dr. Watson proudly. “She is enthusiastic and dedicated to the sport and it has transcended to her players. She has had the unique opportunity to be an athlete herself and be a teacher, coach, and mentor to others. Nina’s leadership and commitment to Pepperdine and women’s volleyball has been tremendous.”
With a beautiful office view overlooking the majestic Pacific Ocean, Matthies spoke with pride about her experience at Pepperdine after 27 years. She intends to stay for as long as life allows her.
“I love being here. People say ‘Don’t blink’. It’s true,” stated Matthies. “It doesn’t seem like I’ve been here that long but when you sit down and chronologically add up the years, and then it has been. We have had a pretty good group go through here. I’m proud of all the women who have been a part of this.”
The Pepperdine community is proud of you, Nina, your 500th win, and your continued service and loyalty to this fine university.
A Special Tribute to Nina Matthies from Her Former Players:
Julie Rubenstein, 2005-08: “It is such a great accomplishment. It is awesome to think there have been so many great players that have been a part of Nina's teams all along the way. This is an incredible accomplishment for her. It is no surprise that she has reached this milestone as she has won many WCC championships, been to the NCAA Tournamentyear after year, numerous winning seasons, and so on. To reach 500 wins at one university is a rare thing, but like I said, no surprise that Nina has done it. Nina's competitive fire, strong desire to win, compete hard at all times, and love for her players and the game are just some of the ways Nina has had a positive influence on her players. I'm happy she has done this, and hope she will rack up many more wins.”
Nicole (Sanderson) Hannan, 1994-97: “Nina has been an incredible influence on my career as a professional athlete. She always believed in me and taught me to believe in myself. Nina was able to impart her knowledge, skills, and work ethic learned in her own career to me and for this I will be forever grateful. My time at Pepperdine was amazing and being a ‘Wave’ under such a strong, knowledgeable, and caring influence as Nina shaped the player I became. Nina has played a very big part in my life, not only as a volleyball coach, but as my friend and I would like to send her a huge congratulations on her 500thwin and a giant hug from the other side of the globe in thanks for all that she has done for me over the years. Love ya Nina!”
Becci (Roehl) Twombley, 1994-97: “Nina exudes greatness. She brings out the best in those around her by setting a standard of greatness herself. Nina takes 18 year old girls and turns them into confident, successful young women who are ready to take herstandards of excellence into their lives and careers. Her success on the court is a tribute to her ability to inspire her players to achieve more than they ever should have been capable of. Thank you Nina, for your time, your wisdom, and your friendship. I cherish every step of every run, every lesson you made me learn, and every memory you helped me make.”
Aida (Krascenicova) Lennaerts, 1996-97: “Nina has had always my full respect! Nina's dedication to sport influenced me to want to become better and more committed to achieve success not only in volleyball but in life as well. She leads by example. Nina can create the right atmosphere and motivate players, getting athletes to believe in themselves, and have fun but still have discipline on the court. She respects the players, their individuality, their strength and their weaknesses. She has amazing skills how to put a unique team together. Nina has deep understanding of the sport from the fundamental skills to advanced tactics and strategy. With all the knowledge and experience, positive attitude and enthusiasm for the game, the player and life, she motivates us.”
Jennifer Meredith, 1990-93: "Nina is a true champion in all aspects of life; mom, wife, athlete, coach, friend. She has been an inspiration to me all these years. I strive to be as driven, determined, and passionate in all I do."
Rainy (Chrisman) Smith, 1990-93: "Nina inspired me to give back to the wonderful sport that gave me so much. After leaving Pepperdine, I was a head coach for a girls program for 11 years, and now currently teach PE at El Segundo High School. Playing for her while she was still competing was an inspiration in and of itself. The team used to love it when she played with us in drills. We liked the competitive edge it gave us ... no one wanted to get tooled by our coach, but it always happened. She taught us that you didn't have to hit the ball straight down to be a force at the net ... she taught us to be smart and use what you had to get the job done. I consider it an honor to have played for such an icon of the sport. Congrats, Nina, on this amazing accomplishment!"
Carolyn (Hueth) Zimmerman, 1988-91: “Back playing for Nina, I went and followed her as a player. It was an incredible opportunity. I felt fortunate to play for such a fierce competitor. She trained us to compete relentlessly. She was a wonderful role model to me. I developed under her guidance and became a coach that I am today. She was a mentor outside of the gym. She prepared us well for competition while balancing a family life. It gave me hope. Overall, we had a great appreciation for her hard work. I wanted to run through a wall for her. She was down to earth and so real. She prepared me for the rest of my life.”
Julie (Evans) Castillo, 1984-87: “My time under Coach Matthies has shaped me profoundly. I feel so proud and privileged to have been a part of Nina's program. To this day, they are some of my best memories and I reflect on them often. I remember Nina coming to my home in the spring of '84 so I could sign my letter of intent and knowing immediately that playing for her at Pepperdine was going to be a perfect fit. I think back to her sitting across from me at my parent's kitchen table with her big, warm, and enthusiastic smile sharing her plans for the program and for me. I was thrilled.
“A couple of things that come to mind that impacted me the most about Nina was her work ethic and athleticism. When Nina walked in the gym she gave it her all and she expected her athletes to do the same. At the time I was playing for Nina, she was enjoying a hard-earned and very successful career on the pro beach tour. Nina would often jump in and train with us. She would never expect us to do the work that she would not do herself. She led by example. If we had a two mile run, Nina was leading the fray. If we had to do sprints, Nina was right there. Stadiums, weight-lifting, hill training ... she did it right alongside the team. You knew she was working hard, so you had to work hard. Our team enjoyed competing with each other, but if my teammates and I could come close to beating coach that was even better. She challenged and stretched me to accomplish things that I didn't think I was capable of accomplishing. Learning this work ethic from her has served me well in all areas of my life. In my four years with Pepperdine Volleyball, I think I beat Nina ONCE in a two mile team race and I consider that one of best and more memorable accomplishments.
“My time with Nina has influenced and shaped me not only as an athlete, but as a wife and mother. My teammates and I got to see first-hand how Nina juggled being a wife, mother, friend, pro-beach player, and head coach at Pepperdine and do it successfully and with class. She set an amazing example and standard. I am so thankful and blessed to have had Nina for a coach and more importantly as a friend. To me, she embodies what it means to be a woman athlete and I think of her often. Today, I am a mother of six children ranging from college to preschool. Most of my children are hardworking, student-athletes and they can attest to my many stories about ‘my glory days’ as a Pepperdine Volleyball player. And of course, most of those stories feature Nina. I wish her a huge congratulation on her milestone of ‘500 wins’. Well done!!”
-- by Dick Dornan, special to PepperdineSports.com
Check this page out for Volley ball Setters, Setting Tips and How To Set News On The Net!
Check out more college volleyball teams and players stories on volleyballvoices.com!
(sponsored links)
For Volleyball Parents!
Here's the volleyball tips e-book your daughter absolutely needs to help her
become a better volleyball player!
86 Girls Indoor Volleyball Tips: How To Gain Confidence On The Volleyball Court, The E-Book
Everybody writes books for coaches. But here is the volleyball tips self-coaching e-book written just for your daughter, the young female high school or collegiate volleyball player..
BUY Your Copy Now!
(Sponsored links)
Now you can shop, compare prices and find coupons for
volleyball uniforms and volleyball training equipment.
Here's Seven Reasons Why Players Will Gossip About The New Nfinity Volleyball Shoes
Create your Fan Badge
About Volleyball Voices
Volleyball Voices is a volleyball news hub where girls high school volleyball, club
volleyball, college volleyball players, parents and fans learn about the indoor and
sand volleyball game and its female heroes with breaking news stories of college
and women's pro volleyball players, self-coaching and volleyball training
information, a gift and shopping directory, beach volleyball pictures and indoor
volleyball videos.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_a.png?x-id=92a5bd87-349a-4721-b4c6-203cc06d4ac1)
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_a.png?x-id=546e6880-c6ac-4808-8ade-e946bf251a7d)
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_a.png?x-id=fe5f94bb-6173-4c0d-a5f6-2e5e397f0acb)
