We are the Champions!

It was a storybook ending for what wasn't expected to be a fairy-tale year for the University of Alberta's Pandas volleyball team.

In dramatic fashion, the young team clinched its fifth consecutive national title by beating the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds three games to one in front of 2449 people at the varsity gym March 6. The U of A is the second women's volleyball team to five-peat, with the Winnipeg Wesmen claiming six consecutive championships from 1983-1988.

With seven rookies on the team, there were doubts about the Pandas defending their title. They had, after all, lost to the Thunderbirds in Canada West play-offs and came into the Canadian Interuniversity Athletics Union (CIAU) national tournament in third place.

There are no doubters now.

U of A first swept the University of Montreal in three games Thursday to advance to the semi-finals against the No.2 ranked Manitoba Bisons. The Pandas dropped the first game 15-7 to Manitoba, but came back and won the next three games.

In front of a home crowd and live on The Sports Network, the Pandas had trouble shaking off pre-game jitters and watched the No.1-ranked Thunderbirds take an early 6-0 lead in the first game of the best of five series. But the U of A soon rallied back and won the first game 17-15. In game two, long rallies, deep digs and top-notch volleyball action ended in favor of UBC 15-13.

Although veteran players Jenny Cartmell and Christy Torgerson were outstanding, the entire team worked hard to win the next two games and the title, with scores of 15-11 and 15-12.

"I don't know how there could be doubters now," said Coach Laurie Eisler, who has taken her troops to nationals seven of the eight years she has been at the university. "Everyone contributed, we didn't change the way we played and we stayed aggressive."

The 1994-95 season marked the first time the Pandas won a national volleyball title. Winning a fifth speaks volumes about Eisler and the program at the U of A.

"What sets us apart is a lot of really important qualities learned through sport," she said. "We pursue our goals and at the University of Alberta we teach our athletes how to achieve those goals. It doesn't mean we're always going to win but it means we're always going to strive to be the best."

Striving to be the best is a familiar phrase in Jenny Cartmell's vocabulary. The fourth-year power hitter and team captain from Sherwood Park was voted CIAU Player of the Year, CIAU National Tournament MVP and Canada West's MVP. Although she credits the entire team for its hard work, playing in front of a hometown crowd helped, she said.

"Our fans are incredible and psychologically they get us going," said the 21-year-old physed student. "We've got this in our memory bank now and we're going to bring those same feelings back to use again next year."

While the Pandas aren't losing any graduating players, Eisler wouldn't be surprised if Cartmell and Torgerson are snapped up by the national team. The duo may not be the only athletes to garner national attention. After leading the Pandas hockey team to a silver medal performance at CIAU nationals in Toronto two weeks ago, Lori Shupak has also been turning heads.

"This is only her first year and I think she has a shot at the national team if she keeps improving and working hard," said Coach Howie Draper about Shupak, who was named CIAU Tournament MVP.

Shupak's rise is parallel with that of her team. In only its second year of existence it has accomplished much. Last year it won Canada West and finished fifth at nationals. This year the squad defended its Canada West title and lost 2-0 to the heavily-favored Concordia Stingers in the national finals. While the team's goal was to finish in the medals, the Pandas didn't know if bringing home a silver was realistic.

It obviously was. Sharing a rink with the legendary Golden Bears hockey program has helped.

"With the history and the values that are present in the Golden Bears, you can't help but feed off that and want to emulate it," said Draper, a former captain with the Bears.

The hockey team's silver medal is indicative of other noteworthy performances by U of A teams this year. The men's volleyball team smashed its way to a bronze medal at nationals in Quebec City two weeks ago. A victory over Western University landed the Bears a spot in the semi-finals where they lost to the University of Saskatchewan in five games. Saskatchewan went on to win the national title.

CIAU Coach of the Year, Terry Danyluk, led his team to gold in the 1996-97 season and has won four conference titles in five seasons.

The Pandas and Bears didn't stop there.

In the first season for CIAU women's wrestling competition, Shannon Mathie went undefeated in nationals in Guelph two weeks ago to win the gold in the 65-kg category for U of A. Melissa Hillaby competed in the 48-kg category and notched two wins and one loss for a second-place finish. Golden Bear and Canada West champion in the 130-kg class, Carlo Panaro, registered three wins and one loss for a second-place finish.

And that, U of A fans, is "The End" to this fairy tale... for now.