Russ Rose Then (1989): “It goes without saying that Noelle is one of the top outside hitters in the United States. With her background, skills and competitive drive, she could play for any team in the country.”
1989 Season (Junior) Highlights and Awards: First Team Atlantic 10 All-Conference for the 2nd straight year … voted Atlantic 10 Player of-the-Week once … named to the All Tournament teams at the Penn State Preview and Penn State Classic … ranked 5th in the Atlantic 10 in hitting efficiency and digs/set … broke the school record for digs in a three-set match with 25 against Western Michigan.
Season Recap: Started in all 41 matches … played a major role in leading Penn State to its 9th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance … led the team with 416 digs and also had 326 kills, 75 blocks and 27 service aces … .290 hitting % … registered 10 or more kills 11 times and 15 or more digs 10 times … season highs: 17 kills vs. North Carolina; 25 digs vs. Western Michigan; 8 blocks vs. San Jose State.
Before Penn State: Zientara was listed as a “freshman to watch” by Volleyball Monthly … 3-year letterwinner at Victor J. Andrew High School in Tinley Park and captain for 2 years … played on a gold medal-winning Junior Olympic team in 1987.
