Maverick Volleyball Shapes Culture Through 1983 Final Four Ring

OMAHA, Neb. – Throughout the rich history of UNO volleyball, there have been many championships, all-conference honorees and Academic All-Americans.

None of that success would be possible without a strong team culture and a high standard of expectations. The symbol for that constant team culture is the 1983 Final Four ring. 

Originally owned by former UNO athletic trainer Denise Fandel, the tradition wouldn’t start until a little over 10 years later. Fandel gave “The Ring” to former Maverick Laura Kelly Brus in 1993, who later passed it on to Amy Steffel Mandolfo. 

Over 20 years and 19 players later, ”The Ring” has become a staple of the Maverick volleyball culture. 

“When it began, it was a singular act. Laura was a member of the team in 1993,” said Fandel. “She was a strong leader with an amazing work ethic. Many times those aren’t the people who get all-conference awards but they make the team better and stronger. She was such an amazing student-athlete and leader.

“I had a ring that I received as part of the 1983 Final Four team, and she and I were having a conversation on how important it is to lead by example. I shared that ring with how she carried on the tradition from UNO volleyball. She represented all the characteristics of what the UNO volleyball program was about. Laura is the one who chose to pass it on to Amy and continue that tradition.” 

With no coach or staff involvement in the tradition, that’s what makes the passing of the ring very unique. Former head coach Rose Shires was able to see that first-hand over the years. 

“To me, all of these people have been great students, teammates and great leaders,” said Shires. “They possess everything. What was cool was that after the first ring was presented from Denise, from that point forward everyone was chosen by the ring bearer. Nobody had anything to do with who received the next ring – just the players. It had to do with the person who observed the qualities day in and day out in the locker room, on the court and in the classroom.” 

Over the years, the athletes that have been bearers of The Ring have possessed qualities that made them leaders. Whether it was in front of the fans or behind the scenes, those qualities carried over into the real world after their career as a Maverick volleyball player concluded. 

“It really is that recognition of what it takes to be successful,” said Fandel. “To have standards and do them day in and day out when nobody else is watching is what makes a person great. If I’m an employer, I look at those things. They recognize success out of that. The people that are on that list are not necessarily those who made the all-conference honors, but they put in the work and pushed others. You know you will have defeats, but it’s import to measure how often you are able to get back up.” 

Former Mavericks on the meaning of The Ring

“To me, the ring means a bunch of different things. It symbolizes all of the hard work that past players have put in and dedication that they have shown. The program would not be where it is now without the hard work from everyone in the past. The ring also shows how bright the future is for the program and future players. It meant a lot to me to be selected as a recipient. Everyone on the team is very deserving of it. Seeing the list of people who have had it in the past – and to be among them—is really special.” 
– Isabella Sade (Current ring bearer/2017-20) 

“This tradition is unique and what’s really cool for me is that the program has changed quite a bit going from when I was there. The program has rolled into Division I and for these athletes to want to carry on this tradition and see the importance on it speaks to what they feel about the history of the program and recognizing all the athletes that came before them. UNO volleyball is a very hard-working program and the student-athletes take pride in that. It’s always been that way long before I was even there.”
 – Amy Steffel Mandolfo (1993-96/UNO Hall of Fame Class of 2003)

“To me, The Ring is a symbol of the standards set by the previous UNO players that we hope to uphold in the future. It was an honor but also a responsibility to ensure that the standards are being carried on throughout the years. It was an honor to be selected as a recipient of this ring because of all the amazing and talented players who held the ring before me. Being associated with these players and teammates of such high caliber was very humbling. It also means more that it comes from a teammate who personally chose you. Being respected by your teammates is one of the biggest honors possible, in my opinion.” 
- Jaclyn Taylor (Former ring bearer/UNO letterwinner 2018-19)

Recipient History 
Laura Kelly Brus (1993-94)
Amy Steffel Mandolfo (1994-96) 
Christyn Malone May (1996-97)
Korrine Boltin Schuster (1997-99)
Bethany Tygert Mosbrucker (1999-00)
Jewelia Grennan Wagner (2000-02)
Alyssa Matthes Rediger (2002-03)
Christie Johnson Barella (2003-05)
Carlie Christensen (2005-07)
Kayla Jansen (2007-09)
Kayla Uhing Simon (2009-11)
Brittany Hanssen Petersen (2011-12)
Chelsea Snyder (2012-13)
Diane Banderas (2013-15)
Elise Brown (2015-17)
Gessica Gdowski (2017-18)
Abby Bergsten (2018-19)
Jaclyn Taylor (2019-20)
Isabella Sade (2020-present)