San Jose Golddiggers

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The San Jose Golddiggers were a women's team in Major League Volleyball from 1987-89. The team played its home games at the San Jose Civic Auditorium.

The Golddiggers were one of six teams in the Major League Volleyball franchise. The league began in 1987 and ended short of completing a full season in 1989. Players consisted of former collegiate All Americans and Olympians. The level of play was highly competitive (above that of even the best Division I college teams) and fast paced and utilized either a 5/1 or 6/2 offense.

The Golddiggers placed 2nd in 1987 and 2nd in 1988.

Rules for volleyball in the late 1980s were a bit different to today. The ball could not touch the net on a serve, and games were to 15 (no rally scoring). And then of course there were those uniforms. In 1988 the league changed the rules so that game five would move to rally scoring until one team reached 10; then it reverted to sideout scoring. This was primarily to control the length of matches for television broadcast.

[edit] Team rosters

[edit] 1987

Terry DeBusk (S); Laurie Corbelli (MB); Julie Maginot (OH); Eileen Dempster (MB); Vicki Cantrell (OH); Lisa Strand (OH)

[edit] 1988

Wendy Rush (S); Laurie Corbelli (MB); Julie Maginot (OH); Nancy Reno (MB); Eileen Dempster (MB); Vicki Cantrell (OH); Toni Tedeschi (MB); Lisa Strand (OH); Dave DeGroot (head coach); Burt Fuller (assistant coach)

One of two west coast powerhouse teams the San Francisco Golddiggers became the San Jose Golddiggers in 1988 due to franchise local political challenges. The Golddiggers were a tremendously talented group of athletes who benefited from a strong team chemistry.

Laurie Corbelli was team captain and without question the leader on the court. A former Olympian, Laurie could be counted on as a clutch player when the play was close and the tension was high.
Corbelli was the Major League Volleyball MVP in 1987.

In 1988 the team recruited Stanford superstars Nancy Reno and Wendy Rush. Wendy, the former setter at Stanford, could count on Reno, as they had had several years to get their timing in synch.

Heavy Handed Hitters included: Julie Maginot; Vicki Cantrell; Laurie Corbelli; Nancy Reno