Lisa Gundersen Jones (1991) - Hall of Fame - University of Akron Athletics

Lisa Gundersen Jones

Induction:
1991
Class:
1981

1977-80
Volleyball
‘81

Volleyball was in its formative years when Lisa Gundersen came on the scene in 1977. That freshman year, Lisa lettered in both basketball and volleyball, sports weren’t played by UA women student athletes on a varsity level until 1974. At that juncture, Gundersen was given an ultimatum by her basketball coach—choose one sport or the other, but not both. Lisa, who was voted the volleyball team’s Most Outstanding Freshman, chose volleyball. Almost 15 years later, Gundersen becomes the first athlete from her chosen sport to be inducted into UA’s Sports Hall of Fame. Although only sophomore, Gundersen was considered a veteran and played an important role in UA’s 20-8 record, the best in the four-year history of the sport on campus. Despite slipping to a 16-18 record in 1979, Gundersen’s play was exemplary. She was selected the team’s Most Valuable Defensive Player, the Coach’s Award for leadership and spirited play, the Most Valuable Player, the Coach’s Award for Indicative of her play was her individual statistics—a serving completion average of 91 percent, converted on 73 percent of her blocks and 86 percent of her 486 hits (50 percent putaways and had a passing efficiency of 78 percent on 702 passes. A third coach in as many years was reflected in UA’s 16-21 mark in 1980. However, the Most Valuable Player and served as tri-captain. Since receiving her degree in nursing, Gundersen has worked in a variety of clinical settings, including medical/surgical, home health care and rehabilitation. Currently Lisa is in medical sales for Mead Johnson Nutritionals and resides with her husband, Geoff Jones, in Amherst, New Hampshire. Her interest in volleyball remains strong as she has an A-level rating with the United States Volleyball Association.