Temple University Athletics
Hall of Fame Spotlight: Alison Runk
9.16.24 | General, Women's Volleyball
A two-time Atlantic 10 Setter of the Year and one of the top players on arguably the best volleyball team in Temple history, Alison Runk left her mark on the program during her four years on campus.
Runk was a three-time All-Atlantic 10 First Team selection and quarterbacked the Owls to three 20-win seasons, including a program-record-tying 29 wins during a magical 2002 season that saw Temple win the A-10 championship and advance to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet Sixteen.
During that campaign, Runk set a new Temple single-season mark with 1,505 assists and finished her four-year career with 4,317 assists to rank second all-time.
Runk, who will be inducted into the Temple Athletics Hall of Fame on Oct. 18, spoke with OwlSports.com about her career.
Talk to us about your decision to attend Temple.
It's kind of an interesting story. The University of Houston gave me an in-house visit, and I always wanted to go to an urban campus and be in a city. I knew I would be a business major, and I like the city environment. Good networking and things like that for after school. Houston was that, and I didn't even visit their campus but I liked what they were telling me and I said, "OK, I'll verbally commit to you." And then they came back and said to hold on, they had offered someone else and said to give them the weekend and they would get back to me. It was funny, because Bob (Coach) called me around that time and he said that Temple isn't far from where I lived – I was living in Lancaster County at the time – and asked if I would come check it out. It wouldn't be much effort to do that. So I said, "Why not?" and we drove to Philly and met with Bob, saw the team practice, and he was telling me how successful the program was. They won the Atlantic 10 and had a good freshman Yamit (Haba) and some solid players. The business school is strong, so I said, "OK, I'll commit to you guys." And I liked the idea that my parents could come and see most of my matches. Then the Houston coach called me back and he said "How does it feel to be a Houston Cougar?" and I said, "Well, I've committed to Temple now." And he got really, really upset.
Freshman year, the team had some immediate – won 22 games, advancing all the way to the Atlantic 10 Championship match before losing to Xavier. Can you describe the feeling of getting so close to winning the championship, and how much that prepared you for the next year?
We did our preseason in China, so it was a lot for me to come in as a freshman. We were putting together a team right away to compete against Olympians and high-level athletes. I think it sort of prevented me from getting the setter position right away. I was back row and still played but didn't play my natural position because I felt like I didn't have that time to acclimate to the team and everything. But we had some great coaches and players due to the China trip. But yeah, we made it to the championship game and I thought we were going to win but we didn't. It was disappointing. But coming into the next season, the preseason was a little bit more relaxed and I think that helped. I know we lost a few matches early in the year my sophomore year, but then we gelled as a team and it all came together pretty good.
Arguably the best team in Temple volleyball history was the 2002 team. Your sophomore year, the Owls won 29 matches, you were named Atlantic 10 Setter of the Year, the team won the Atlantic 10 Championship and a berth in the Sweet 16. What made that team so special?
It was just a really, really good time. Everyone was so good in their positions, we had quick hitters, not huge hitters, but we ran a fast offense that made it work.
Was there one particular match that you look back on and realized that this team could be what it ended up becoming?
When we lost to Villanova, that was the turning point for me. I don't know if it went five games, but we lost but yeah, and I felt like that was a turning point. (Editor's Note: Temple won 19 of its next 21 matches after the 3-2 loss to the Wildcats.)
In the NCAA Tournament, Temple defeated Penn State to advance to the Sweet 16. Being a Pennsylvania native, what was that experience like?
I was so pumped up for that match. I wasn't nervous at all. I was a little bit vengeful. I have nothing to lose but I have everything to prove, and I'm going to prove it. And that's how I played that match. Growing up in Pennsylvania, you're seen at an early age. People know you – I know the Juniata coach knew me. When you go to the Penn State camp, at that time you would go to the Juniata campus and they rank your skills the first day. It doesn't matter your age. I was put on a really high court as a middle schooler – I didn't like that, I wasn't ready for it. It was a tough camp. And I didn't like what I saw. Everyone at Temple has certain feelings for Penn State, and how they recruited me I didn't like it. So it was a great moment.
What are the fondest memories that you have from your time at Temple University?
It was a really great group. Very diverse, a lot of languages were spoken. We were all embracing everyone's diversity and uniqueness. It was just always fun. I thoroughly enjoyed the group of girls. Everyone was mature and it was a talented group. Margaret (Majewska) went on to become Miss World Canda. There were some really cool people on the team.
What does being inducted into the Temple Hall of Fame mean to you?
To be able to leave your mark on the program is quite a feat and an honor. I love Temple and the fact that Temple loves me back like that is just really, really special
Runk was a three-time All-Atlantic 10 First Team selection and quarterbacked the Owls to three 20-win seasons, including a program-record-tying 29 wins during a magical 2002 season that saw Temple win the A-10 championship and advance to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet Sixteen.
During that campaign, Runk set a new Temple single-season mark with 1,505 assists and finished her four-year career with 4,317 assists to rank second all-time.
Runk, who will be inducted into the Temple Athletics Hall of Fame on Oct. 18, spoke with OwlSports.com about her career.
Talk to us about your decision to attend Temple.
It's kind of an interesting story. The University of Houston gave me an in-house visit, and I always wanted to go to an urban campus and be in a city. I knew I would be a business major, and I like the city environment. Good networking and things like that for after school. Houston was that, and I didn't even visit their campus but I liked what they were telling me and I said, "OK, I'll verbally commit to you." And then they came back and said to hold on, they had offered someone else and said to give them the weekend and they would get back to me. It was funny, because Bob (Coach) called me around that time and he said that Temple isn't far from where I lived – I was living in Lancaster County at the time – and asked if I would come check it out. It wouldn't be much effort to do that. So I said, "Why not?" and we drove to Philly and met with Bob, saw the team practice, and he was telling me how successful the program was. They won the Atlantic 10 and had a good freshman Yamit (Haba) and some solid players. The business school is strong, so I said, "OK, I'll commit to you guys." And I liked the idea that my parents could come and see most of my matches. Then the Houston coach called me back and he said "How does it feel to be a Houston Cougar?" and I said, "Well, I've committed to Temple now." And he got really, really upset.
Freshman year, the team had some immediate – won 22 games, advancing all the way to the Atlantic 10 Championship match before losing to Xavier. Can you describe the feeling of getting so close to winning the championship, and how much that prepared you for the next year?
We did our preseason in China, so it was a lot for me to come in as a freshman. We were putting together a team right away to compete against Olympians and high-level athletes. I think it sort of prevented me from getting the setter position right away. I was back row and still played but didn't play my natural position because I felt like I didn't have that time to acclimate to the team and everything. But we had some great coaches and players due to the China trip. But yeah, we made it to the championship game and I thought we were going to win but we didn't. It was disappointing. But coming into the next season, the preseason was a little bit more relaxed and I think that helped. I know we lost a few matches early in the year my sophomore year, but then we gelled as a team and it all came together pretty good.
Arguably the best team in Temple volleyball history was the 2002 team. Your sophomore year, the Owls won 29 matches, you were named Atlantic 10 Setter of the Year, the team won the Atlantic 10 Championship and a berth in the Sweet 16. What made that team so special?
It was just a really, really good time. Everyone was so good in their positions, we had quick hitters, not huge hitters, but we ran a fast offense that made it work.
Was there one particular match that you look back on and realized that this team could be what it ended up becoming?
When we lost to Villanova, that was the turning point for me. I don't know if it went five games, but we lost but yeah, and I felt like that was a turning point. (Editor's Note: Temple won 19 of its next 21 matches after the 3-2 loss to the Wildcats.)
In the NCAA Tournament, Temple defeated Penn State to advance to the Sweet 16. Being a Pennsylvania native, what was that experience like?
I was so pumped up for that match. I wasn't nervous at all. I was a little bit vengeful. I have nothing to lose but I have everything to prove, and I'm going to prove it. And that's how I played that match. Growing up in Pennsylvania, you're seen at an early age. People know you – I know the Juniata coach knew me. When you go to the Penn State camp, at that time you would go to the Juniata campus and they rank your skills the first day. It doesn't matter your age. I was put on a really high court as a middle schooler – I didn't like that, I wasn't ready for it. It was a tough camp. And I didn't like what I saw. Everyone at Temple has certain feelings for Penn State, and how they recruited me I didn't like it. So it was a great moment.
What are the fondest memories that you have from your time at Temple University?
It was a really great group. Very diverse, a lot of languages were spoken. We were all embracing everyone's diversity and uniqueness. It was just always fun. I thoroughly enjoyed the group of girls. Everyone was mature and it was a talented group. Margaret (Majewska) went on to become Miss World Canda. There were some really cool people on the team.
What does being inducted into the Temple Hall of Fame mean to you?
To be able to leave your mark on the program is quite a feat and an honor. I love Temple and the fact that Temple loves me back like that is just really, really special
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