Russ Rose Then (2000): “I think Robyn is our best blocker. Her playing time is going to be dependent on if she can become more physical offensively. She gained a lot of experience last season, as most freshmen do, and it showed in her play late in the year.”
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.”
2000 Season (Sophomore) Highlights and Awards: Academic All-Big Ten.
Season Recap: Played in 34 of 36 matches (20 starts) and 107 of 128 sets … led the team with 1.44 blocks/set … ranked 5th on the team with 1.73 kills/set, hitting .295 … recorded 28 digs for the season … led the team in blocks in 17 matches … posted 10 kills and 15 blocks at Michigan (10/7) for her lone double-double of the season … hit .545 (7-1-11) in win vs. Michigan State (10/28) … hit .778 (7-0-9) vs. Northwestern (11/10) … broke school record with 11 block assists in 3-0 win over Ohio State (11/18).
NCAA Tournament: Posted 8 kills and 8 blocks in opening round win over James Madison (12/1) … hit .364 with 5 kills and 6 blocks in 2nd round win over Washington State (12/2) … pounded out 12 kills while hitting .524 with 3 blocks in Pacific Regional semifinal win over Colorado State (12/7) … posted 5 kills in Pacific Resional final at Southern California (12/8).
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