Colorado University Athletics
Vranesh Helped "Set" The Bar For Buffs Volleyball Program
November 09, 2015 | Volleyball
BOULDER — In her four years at Colorado, setter Nicole Vranesh left an indelible mark on the Colorado women's volleyball program.
The four-time letter winner (1990-93) earned numerous accolades during her career, including being named twice as a first-team all-Mideast Region selection by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. She was also a first-team all-Big Eight setter in 1992 and '93, was the Big Eight's all-time leading setter when she finished her career, and in 1991 led the NCAA in assists — still the only Buff to ever lead the nation in that category.
But her most important accomplishments may have been what she helped the Buffs attain as a team. Under Vranesh's guidances, the Buffs won the 1992 and 1993 Big Eight Tournament titles, as well as the 1993 Big Eight regular season title.
Now, she is one of the newest members of the CU Athletics Hall of Fame, one of 11 members inducted last week.
“When I was playing I never thought that would happen,” said Vranesh. “I don't think they even had one.”
Her jersey was honored in 1998, and she thought that was the end of her recognition. But that all changed when she received a phone call that told her she was to be inducted.
“Being inducted is amazing,” an emotional Vranesh said. “It is a validation for the work and effort I put in over my four-year career. My family, my parents, everyone is so excited. Words can't express how grateful I am.”
She attributes much of her success to coach Brad Saindon, who trained Vranesh and her team in a system that capitalized on their strengths.
Vranesh's nation-leading assist total in 1991 is something she is proud of — but something she also said she cannot take full ownership of.
“That particular record is a team effort,” said Vranesh. “Somebody had to give me a pass first, and someone has to kill it in order for me to get the stat. I couldn't have done it without my team.”
Vranesh was the only senior on the team in 1993, when CU captured the Big Eight Conference title and the Big Eight Tournament championship.
“That was the ultimate goal the entire time,” said Vranesh. “It was an absolutely amazing success for us. It was something that we had been working toward for a while, and it was always on the back of our minds.”
At that time, Nebraska had dominated the Big Eight, winning 17 straight conference titles. The 12th-ranked Buffs ended the streak, knocking off the No.11 Cornhuskers in Boulder in five sets.
That year, the Buffs advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history. They entered the tournament with a first-round bye, then beat Illinois in the second round. CU then faced Penn State in the Mideast Regional semifinal, and lost a hard-fought five set match.
“To be honest the game could have gone either way,” said Vranesh. “Both teams worked really hard. And the fact that we had made it that far meant that we had accomplished our goal. We didn't hang our heads.”
As Vranesh looks back on the Big Eight title and her four-year career as a Buff, she said, “I wouldn't trade it for anything.”
