Ruth Lawanson

Ruth Lawanson played college volleyball at Fresno State, where she was named team MVP in 1982, 1983, and 1984. As a senior she led the Bulldogs to fifth-place at the NCAA Tournament. That year she was NorPac co-Player of the Year and was named an All-American. She was also named Fresno State Female Athlete of the Year, and was later inducted into the Fresno State Athletic Hall of Fame.

Lawanson was on the US National Team from 1989-92. She played for the US at the 1990 World Championships, 1991 World Cup, and the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. She played professionally from 1987-89 in Major Volleyball League with the Dallas Belles and the Minnesota Monarchs. She also played in Italy and France from 1992-95.

Lawanson later became a volleyball coach, starting as an assistant, first with four years at Purdue, and then six years at her alma mater. She then coached at the US Air Force Academy and UNLV, before being named the head coach at San Angelo State. She has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the American Volleyball Coaches Association.