
As they practiced in Fitzpatrick Arena this week for Stanislaus State’s first appearance in the NCAA Division II Volleyball Championships, a Western Regional match with Chaminade at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, the Warriors could look up and see what made the match possible.
Hanging with other championship athletic banners was the one signifying the 2024 volleyball team as California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) champions. Earned with their three wins at the conference tournament – over Cal State East Bay, San Francisco State and Cal State Los Angeles – the banner is the team’s legacy.
But it’s so much more.
It’s a symbol of resilience, dedication and belief — in themselves, in each other and in coach Lauren Flowers and her staff.
“We’ve been saying we just wanted a postseason experience,” Flowers said. “We would talk about upholding championship standards, but we never said we’re trying to win a championship this season. We felt like we could, but we were just trying to get to the postseason, to make sure we got back in the conference tournament. Once that hit, we knew we had a job to do. We still had an opportunity to make the postseason and to make the run we wanted to make.”
It’s a run that has taken them to the University’s first NCAA DII Women’s Volleyball Championship Tournament.
“We have gone so far,” said senior setter Haley Burdo, a co-captain. “There are so many amazing people from programs of the past who have been happy for us. I’m glad we’re doing it for them, as well, and their legacy. I’m grateful to be as far as we are at this present moment. For our team, there won’t be expectations of what we will do in this next match.”
Chaminade is ranked third in the Western Region and fourth in the country, but the Warriors are looking at the possibility of again playing their best volleyball.
That’s what they did to win the CCAA Tournament, surprising themselves.
The road to the NCAA Regional began in December 2023 when the team committed to turning the team around after a 9-18 season that included 4-14 record in the CCAA, landing them in last place. It left Burdo not putting any expectations on the 2024 season.
Flowers, who knew her system wasn’t the issue, took assistant coach Maggie Billingsley to Bakersfield College to watch Coach Carl Ferreira, a former coach at the University of Oregon and Stanford University who is known for his mental training ideas.
“We’ve implemented several things he does and one of the biggest is we have a pre-practice and pre-game script,” Flowers said. “It’s basically affirmations, reminders of why we’re doing what we’re doing, how we want to play and how we’re going to feel when we’re done.”
The focused mental approach provided a needed boost.
“My confidence was shattered last season,” said Ellison Weaver, a co-captain, outside hitter and MVP of the CCAA Tournament. “I totally based who I was on volleyball, and I did lose myself that season. Turning the confidence around and getting it back last spring, and this fall, has been a journey, but it’s been a good one.
“There’s been a lot of guidance from Lauren. I had multiple conversations where I was just in tears trying to work out my confidence and who I am. She played a big role for me and for a lot of girls on the team.”
Including Burdo.
“One of the things she did was emphasize we’re not defined by our performance,” said Burdo, the setter from Elk Grove. “There are other elements of our lives that make up who we are. A lot of the (affirmations) remind me why I'm playing.”
Another part of Stan State’s success was a summer trip to Costa Rica, the first international trip a Stan State team has taken.
“I can’t overstate how important that Costa Rica trip was,” Flowers said. “We got to practice 10 full days. We got to play three matches while we were there. It was a mix of volleyball, sightseeing and community service in every city where we stopped. They really bonded as a team. I knew we had the potential to be a great team, but we needed to get those new players some playing time.”

Five first-year players and two community college transfers blended with returning players, helping the Warriors begin the season 7-1. They hit some bumps along the way, but Burdo said they began playing with singular focus on the next play instead of dwelling on a past mistake or the score.
Stan State trailed 21-17 in the first set of its tournament opener against Cal State East Bay but rallied to win that game.
San Francisco State swept Stan State during the regular season but even trailing 6-0 and 16-10 in the first set, the Warriors rallied.
“Going into the tournament, we all wanted to win, of course, but we didn’t feel this stressful expectation that we had to win,” Weaver said. “It was more ‘we can go do this.’ We had done so much work in the regular season to be the No. 3 seed. There was a total belief from everyone on the team that the people on the other side were going to have to beat all of us.”
Every player who stepped onto the court contributed, bringing home that glorious banner now hanging in their home arena.
“I told them I’m surprised but I’m really not,” Flowers said. “We all had this understanding that this was possible, and this was the year. It was very emotional for me. I’m five months pregnant so I’m an emotional wreck all the time. The things we’ve done together over the years hit me at that moment. I was super emotional.”
The banner will forever have a place in Flowers’ heart.
“It’s really my thank you to these players who hired me,” Flowers said, referring to the seniors who were a part of the hiring committee. “They advocated for me and helped me get this job. I’m a fair person to play for, but I’m not an easy person to play for.”
Her high standards — academics, community service and volleyball — have propelled them into historic territory, ready for an NCAA Tournament match.
“We just want to play our best volleyball,” Flowers said.
“One ball at a time,” Burdo noted.
