With numerous all-conference awards, school records, and a league championship, it would be hard to come to any conclusion other than Chris Difani was the best SSU volleyball player ever. A four-year performer at SSU, Difani's influence with the blue and white carried on long after her playing days were over.
After a solid freshman campaign in 1995, Difani turend into an all-conference performer as a sophomore in '96 with 236 kills.
Her best season came in 1997 when, as a junior, she led Sonoma State to a league championship and a 24-13 record with a school-record 579 kills. Her kill total was 167 more than the previous record. She was named First Team All-NCAC, NCAC Player of the Year, and AVCA All-Region, becoming the only SSU volleyball player to ever earn All-Region honors. She also was recognized as the AVCA Division II Nationa Player of the Week in 1997. Difani closed out her career in 1998 with another strong season as she posted 428 kills and established a new school record with 4.55 kills per game.
The school's all-time leader in kills and kill per game, Difani owns the top two single-season kill totals in school history. She also lays claim to the top two wingle-match marks, including the school-record of 33 kills in a match in 1997.
Following her stellar playing career, moved on to the coaching staff in 1999. The top assistant under three different head coaches at SSU, Difani spent six years on the coaching staff, making numerous contributions in on-court play, fundraising, and recruiting. She left Sonoma State to take over as head coach at CCAA rival Cal State Stanislaus and she has quickly turned the Warriors into a force to be reckoned with.
