The women's volleyball team credits much of its success to the team concept -- each individual player doing her part to keep the team winning. That concept carried the team to 44 victories and a berth in the regional finals in what the team called the "magical season."

In such a situation, individual achievement is often subverted for the good of the team. This year, however, there were several individual performances that could not be overshadowed.

Last month, the American Volleyball Coaches Association named senior tri-captains Michelle Jaworski, JoAnn Elwell and Noelle Zientara Division I All-Americans. It also selected Coach Russ Rose, the orchestrator of the "magical season," National Coach of the Year.

Jaworski, a setter from Lake Forest, Ill., is a first-team selection. She led the nation in assists, averaging 13.72 per game.

Not only did Jaworski dish out assists to her teammates, she also posed a potent scoring threat at the net. She nailed 190 kills for a .319 hitting percentage. Her talents were not confined to offense. The 5'9" senior registered 109 blocks and 299 digs on the campaign.

Jaworski was named Atlantic 10 Player-of-the-Year this season, becoming the first player named to the all-conference team in each of her four seasons.

"For what our needs were, she was everything we could want in a setter," Rose said. "She changed herself the most to help the team. We were the recipients of her maturity."

Elwell and Zientara are second-team selections. Middle blocker Elwell led the nation throughout the season in hitting percentage, closing the season with a .480 mark. The Conneaut Lake native registered 483 kills and 165 blocks, recording 10 or more kills in 23 matches. Elwell was named September Player of the Month by Volleyball Monthly.

"Her accomplishments indicate what her contributions were -- she's a great offensive player and she was one of the keys to our success," Rose said.

Zientara, the versatile outside hitter sparkled on both ends of the ball, ranking seventh nationally in hitting percentage with a .387 mark and placing sixth in the A-10 in digs per game.

Zientara, from Tinley Park, Ill., totaled 410 kills, 93 blocks and 417 digs this season. She earned all-conference honors three of her four seasons.

"Noelle is our best all-around player and one of the best I've coached at Penn State," Rose said. "We're excited that she got it -- her selection is very special."

Penn State, along with national champion UCLA and Final Four-finisher Nebraska, were the only schools to place three players on the All-America team.

"It's sad to see them go. Everyone who played with them learned something from them," outside hitter Kim Kumfer said. "They've left their mark."

Similar to the players, the accomplishments of Rose are often overlooked -- and that's exactly how he prefers it. The silent, unemotional coach deflects individual praise onto his program.

"I'm honored -- I think any coach would be humbled by the recognition, " Rose said. "It's a reflection of this year's success and the work of the program over the past 12 years."

Rose's quiet strength anchored this year's 44-1 squad, balancing the talents of the steady seniors with those of the young players. He continually kept his players focused on the task at hand, bringing his team into every match prepared and confident.

"Russ did an exceptional job in being creative with the talent he had," Nebraska coach Terry Pettit said. "It takes coaching and motivation to make players take roles so the team can be stronger -- he came up with a balanced lineup that compliments each other and that's not easy to do."

Rose boasts a 412-87 career record, fashioning a .826 winning percentage. He is one of only 17 coaches to earn over 400 victories, a feat he accomplished this season. Rose is a five-time A-10 coach of the year, including this season, and a four-time regional selection.