Class of 2002
Class of 2002
Hartford Courant: Notebook
Lisa DeGioia Miller
Lisa began her volleyball career at Sheehan High School in Wallingford in 1983 where she was a varsity starter for 3 years. She played outside hitter and averaged 13 kills and 9 blocks per game. In 1985 she co-captained the team, was selected the team’s MVP and garnered first team All-State honors for Class M. Lisa was also selected as a CHSCA Scholar Athlete.
Upon graduation, Lisa furthered her education at Utica College where she earned a basketball scholarship. Now residing in Wallingford with her husband Dave, Lisa is assistant volleyball coach at Sheehan High School and is a volunteer youth volleyball coach for the town of Wallingford. She has just completed her Master’s Degree in Education and will be teaching high school English next fall.
Krista Blomquist Hall
Krista started playing volleyball at a very young age. She was taught by her father Chet Blomquist who played collegiate volleyball at Springfield College. Her first organized team experience began in 1980 as a sophomore, when she tried out for the volleyball team at Branford High School. During her junior and senior seasons, the team, coached by Toni Cartisano, competed in the Class M state tournament and won the title both times.
Krista was voted all-league her junior and senior years and first team all-state her senior year. Upon graduation, Krista studied at the University of Connecticut where she played basketball. Krista continued volleyball after college when she began playing beach volleyball while living in south Florida. After moving to southern California in 1993, she played professionally on the Pro Bach Volleyball Tour. In 1997 and 1998 Krista ranked 5th in the United States and in 1998 she was ranked 20th in the world. She served as a player representative board member for USAV and was a member of the WPVA Board of Directors. She is married to Stephen Hall and has a two-year old daughter, Kendra.
Kathleen Kimball
Kathleen’s first volleyball experience began at Wheeler High School in North Stonington where she played for coach Larry Gula. Upon graduation in 1991, Kathleen moved on to play for Pinky Crabtree at ECSU from 1992-95 where she was a four-year letter-winner, and was team captain for 3 years. Kathleen ranked first in the ECSU volleyball team program for total blocks (383), second in kills (1,362) and fourth for total attacked (2,772).
She was the first player from ECSU to achieve the first team Division III All-American status. At that time, Kathleen was only the second player from New England to receive that honor. She was also selected three times each as an all-region and all-New England teams. She was twice selected as the teams’ MVP.
Kathleen is presently teaching middle school Physical Education in Darien, CT; she coaches Junior Olympic volleyball in southwestern Connecticut and still finds time to play volleyball twice a week during the winter and grass doubles in the summer.
Dr. Jean Mee
Dr. Mee began her officiating career in 1975 during her senior year SCSC. She began officiating college volleyball in 1976 after being rated by CAIWBO as a state official. She has officiated at all Connecticut state colleges and universities including regional championships, as well as high school regular season and tournament play.
During her time as a volleyball official, De. Mee held memberships in NAGWS-CABO/CAIWBO (National Assoc. for Girls and Women’s Sports/Connecticut Affiliated Board of Officials and Connecticut Affiliated Intercollegiate Women’s Board of Officials) and she served as president of CAIWBO for two years. She also helped organize training and rating sessions for volleyball officials at high school jamborees for many years and hosted many rule interpretation sessions for volleyball officials. She continued her officiating career until 1990.
Dr. Ann Fariss
Dr. Fariss began her professional teaching career at the University of Bridgeport in 1969. She has an incredible record of contribution and achievement in the areas of physical education and athletics. She was published many articles on sport and participation. She has held numerous positions on committees and AAHPERD and CAHPERD.
Some of Dr. Fariss’ achievements in volleyball include:
- The organization and administration of the first women’s collegiate volleyball team at the University of Bridgeport;
- Coach of the women’s volleyball and basketball teams at UB;
- State officiating coordinator for volleyball;
- DGWS volleyball rules interpreter;
- Officiating judge for volleyball ratings clinics;
- National official at six state volleyball tournaments;
- National official at exhibition match for Women’s Sports Institute.
Barbara Gioncarlo
Barbara graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1974 where along with her academic studies, she played volleyball, basketball and softball. Upon graduation, she accepted a teaching position in the Waterbury School system as well as a coaching position in 1975 at Naugatuck High School where she became the school’s first girls’ volleyball and basketball coach.
During Barbara’s 12-year volleyball coaching tenure, her team complied a 203-26 record. This includes one state championship season (17-0), five trips to the state tournament, one with a quarterfinal finish, two as semifinalists and two as runner-up. Barbara has coached eight all-state volleyball athletes and she was named the CHSCA Volleyball Coach of the Year in 1981.
She is presently a 6th grade Principal at West Side Middle School in Waterbury.