University Park, Pa. -- On Feb. 22, U.S. Congressman Glenn Thompson presented Penn State women's volleyball Coach Russ Rose with a signed copy of the resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives congratulating the team on its third straight national championship.
"As a proud Penn State alum, I am honored to present you with a signed copy of this resolution," Thompson said.
On Dec. 19, 2009, the Penn State women's volleyball team locked up the national championship with a come-from-behind win over the University of Texas, and in so doing won its 102nd-straight match, continuing the longest winning streak in the history of NCAA Division I women's sports. The win also marked Rose's 1,001st career victory.
The resolution, dated Jan. 19, "congratulates the Penn State women's volleyball team and the University's athletes, coaches, faculty, students and alumni on the winning of the 2009 NCAA Division I women's volleyball championship" and recognizes Penn State for its "excellence as an institution of higher education."
Marika Racibarskas, a freshman on the volleyball team, joined Rose, Thompson and Penn State President Graham Spanier at the presentation. She said the reality of the national title has yet to sink in.
"It's so surreal -- It still hasn't hit me yet. I'm only a freshman and winning a national championship is more than I ever could have dreamt of," Racibarskas said. "There's such a tradition of excellence (at Penn State). Coach Rose pushes us to be our best and it shows. I knew it wasn't going to be easy, but in the long run it's worth it because now I have a national championship and that's something nobody can ever take away."