Bio

In just its third year of competition, the 1974 Eastern Nazarene College women's volleyball team posted an undefeated record of 15-0.   Led by NAIA & Carroll F. Bradley Hall of Fame Coach Nancy Detwiler, the Crusaders stormed through the opposition without losing a single game. ENC defeated Boston University, MIT, and Boston State to claim the Greater Boston Intercollegiate Volleyball Tournament crown.

The strength of ENC Volleyball was fueled by the intense competitive spirit of players who learned power volleyball. Unlike the Japanese style volleyball where time is spent learning fancy floor rolls, ENC players concentrated on accurate serving and hard, accurate hit placement.  During a playoff game for example, Brenda Henley took one of Donna Brickley's soft sets and literally drilled a player into the bleachers.  The serving accuracy of the squad was crucial in obtaining their undefeated record.

The Crusader defense was remarkable for covering each other and not letting a ball drop.  They frustrated their opponents with long rallies.  The defense was so strong that their opponents averaged only six points per game.  The team accomplished their goals to make basic volleyball skills look easy and to have fun against unbelievable Division I competition.

This volleyball team faced the toughest competition in the area.  They were convinced that playing strong competition made you better and winning against them was more fun than victory over weaker opponents.

The team was made up of co-captains Brenda Henley and Barb Mason along with Janice Irwin, Genevieve Beck, Jean Macchi, Donna Brickley, Robin Brown, Lerae Stanton, Susan Higgins, Sally Henley, and Linda Russell and manager Nancy Kornbau.  As some of the best athletes at ENC, many of these young women made up the basketball roster as well.  They arrived with basketball experience and left with volleyball skills.