Russ Rose Then (1999): “Robyn has a great offensive game, plays very strong at the net, and will have every opportunity to start this year. She hits the ball quick and high and has made great strides since transferring from Florida to the Chicago-land area.”
Russ Rose Now (2025): “Robyn’s father was Matt Guokas, a former NBA player and former head coach of the Orlando Magic. So she came from a very athletic family. She went to the same high school as Katie — Mother McAuley — and she played on Sports Performance, a very strong club team. She was bright, had good training and good skills, and was a talented attacker and blocker.”
1999 Season (Freshman) Highlights and Awards: 1999 National Champion … All-Big Ten Honorable Mention.
Season Recap: Played in 18 of 37 matches (1 start) and 26 of 125 sets … averaged 0.92 kills/set, hitting .283 … averaged 0.77 blocks/set … started first collegiate match against Nebraska (8/28), playing in 2 sets and totaling 2 kills and 2 block assists … after a strong start where she repeatedly got swings at the ball, Guokas struggled in conference matches and was out of the lineup … hit a team-high .750 (3 kills, no errors, 4 attacks) and had 1 dig and 1 block assist vs. West Virginia (9/6) … played 1 set of UNC Charlotte (9/10) match where she had 2 kills and 3 digs … had 1 kill, 2 digs and a block assist in win over Toledo (9/11) … tallied 1 kill with 2 digs and a block in 1 set at No. 24 Wisconsin (10/16 ) … against Michigan State (11/13), Guokas hit the floor for 2 sets and had 3 blocks, 1 dig and a kill.
NCAA Tournament: Appeared in final set of the NCAA opening round match vs. Robert Morris (12/3) where she had 3 kills and a block assist … did not see any action in Central Regional matches, but played in two sets of the National Semifinals against Pacific (12/16) and had one dig.
2001 Season (Junior — Missed due to illness)
Before Penn State: Helped Mother McAuley to the 1997 Class AA State Championship; Named to Volleyball Magazine’s “Fab 50”; Was an AAU All-American; Won the 1998 Nike Challenge Champions; Honored as the Southtown Player of the Week in her junior and senior seasons; A three-time all-conference and two-time all-county selection; Ended career with 326 blocks — second on the all-time charts; Named all-area by Sun Times; Garnered Most Valuable Player honors at the Rich East Tournament; Named a high school All-American by Student Sports Magazine in 1998; Named Rookie-of-the-Year at Trinity Prep; All-State as a sophomore; played club ball for Sports Performance, where she was captain during the 1998-99 season; Went 36-2 in her final two years; Team finished third at 1998 nationals in Dallas; Guokas was also a member of the G.C.A.C. All-Academic Team.
“Women’s volleyball prepares for challenge,” The Daily Collegian, Sept. 27, 2002
“Women’s volleyball team seeks return to the top,” The Daily Collegian, Aug. 27, 2002
“Unfamiliar attack,” The Daily Collegian, Nov. 3, 2001
“Robyn Guokas sets new record, helps volleyball to win v. OSU,” The Daily Collegian, Nov. 21, 2000
“Guokas carries Lions to win over OSU,” The Daily Collegian, Nov. 20, 2000
“Freshman Guokas fitting in for Lions,” The Daily Collegian, Oct. 26, 1999
“Fans, Guokas, make late-season difference,” The Daily Collegian, Nov. 16, 1999
“Young Lady Lions Face Long Road,” The Daily Collegian, Aug. 26, 1999
