Dunbar gained valuable playing time last season as the Dons' first guard off the bench. With a year of experience, Dunbar looks to have a strong sophomore season. Depth at the point guard spot will be provided this season by sophomore Melany Furimsky, and first year players Chris Hill and Patty Lopez. A rugged non-conference schedule will prepare the Dons for an equally tough NorPac Conference race.
USF's freshman setter Patty Lopez ranks fourth in assists per game, setting up her hitters on an average of 8.17 times a game in conference matches. Lopez totaled 58 assists in a five game match played last Saturday night against UC Irvine. She followed up that stellar performance with 45 assists against St. Mary's.
A five foot-five inch freshman from Portland, Patty Lopez has taken over the setter position from junior Jenni Boron. With Boron moving to outside hitter, Lopez' superb setting and overall play have already made a tremendous impact on the Dons' performance in the young volleyball season.
Patty has lived in Oregon all her life. Her family, which includes five sisters and two brothers, has had an influence on Patty's love for athletics. Her father was an excellent fast pitch softball player, and her sister, Anna Marie, was a superb high school athlete. A State Champion in the discus, Anna Marie received a scholarship to play volleyball and basketball at USC.
Patty's first sport was basketball. "My father would always take us to the gym," she recalled. Her interest in volleyball caught on when she was a ball girl for her sister's team in high school. By the sixth grade, Patty was playing volleyball on CYO teams. At St. Mary's High School in Portland, Patty enjoyed an outstanding career, both in her studies and in athletics. Sporting an impressive 3.85 G.P.A., and mention as an Oregon Scholar, Patty participated in one year of softball, two years of track, and four years each in basketball and volleyball (TheFoghorn).
