Sun Devil Volleyball started a tradition of hosting a tournament named to honor two stellar student-athletes from the program's history. After last year's Webb-Burbridge classic, which recognized Sun Devil Volleyball Hall of Famers Tammy Webb-Leibl and Amanda Burbridge, this year, ASU is hosting the Nore-Stahl Classic on September 5-7 for Christy Nore and Regina Stahl.
Welcoming Florida Gulf Coast and Loyola Marymount to Desert Financial Arena, the Sun Devils will commemorate All-Americans Nore and Stahl for all their contributions to the Maroon and Gold. Both are in the Sun Devil Hall of Fame, with Nore being inducted in 2001 and Stahl joining in 2023.
An AVCA First Team All-American in 1988, Christy Nore played for ASU from 1985-88. The standout outside hitter led the team in kills from her sophomore through senior years and ended her senior year with 497 kills, a mark that ranks ninth in ASU single-season history. As only one of eight Sun Devils to reach 1,000 digs and 1,000 kills in their career, Nore ranks seventh all-time in kills, with 1,517. Nore was on the All-Pac-10 Team in 1988 to go along with her All-America nod. Additionally, she led the team to the NCAA Tournament in each of her four seasons.
Regina Stahl ran the court from 1984-87 as a setter, racking up AVCA Second Team All-American status in 1986 and three all-conference selections. In her last three seasons at ASU, Stahl led her team to three-straight NCAA Tournament appearances. During her time in the Maroon and Gold, Stahl accumulated 5,180 assists and 178 aces, both of which still stand as the record for most in a Sun Devil career. She also holds the record for most assists in a single game, with 90.
Home opener is a week from today!
— Sun Devil Volleyball (@SunDevilVB) August 29, 2025
Our home tournament next weekend is in tribute to two Sun Devil Volleyball alumni, Regina Stahl and Christy Nore! 🔱💛#ForksUp pic.twitter.com/oClXr5mHwB
The two were unstoppable as a duo on the court, combining Stahl’s fast paced setting with Nore’s fast and dynamic approach. During their three seasons together (1985-87), the duo went to three NCAA Tournaments and advanced to the second round in 1986.
“Regina was just an exceptional setter,” Nore said. “She ran our offense very well, and it was hard not to succeed in Regina’s company.”
The duo worked together on the court to create a strong offense, feeding off each other’s energy and powering the rest of the team.
“Christy was what I needed, and she was really quick, saying, ‘Go faster,’ and I could set it faster,” Stahl said. “And I think we just really set off one another in that way.”
In the years after Nore and Stahl graduated, the program went through a period of change. The program has had its ups and downs in national relevance throughout the years, and for Nore and Stahl, it is exciting to see the program returning to the national spotlight and making waves as one of the top teams.
With JJ Van Niel at the helm, the two alumni have found joy in following the team as the new wave of Arizona State Volleyball is taking over.
“I love what JJ is doing,” Stahl said. “I love his enthusiasm. I love his presence locally. I see him at a lot of tournaments and practices, and ASU was hidden for a long time.”
Nore also explained the impact that Van Niel has had on the alumni community.
“The fact that they're acknowledging these old girls is really sweet,” Nore said. “So I'm honored. And again, I'm a Sun Devil through and through, and want nothing more than to see the program succeed.”
Nore-Stahl Classic Schedule
| Date | Match | Time |
| 9/5 | Arizona State vs. Florida Gulf Coast | 6 p.m. MST |
| 9/6 | Florida Gulf Coast vs. Loyola Marymount | 1 p.m. MST |
| 9/7 | Arizona State vs. Loyola Marymount | 1 p.m. MST |
With the honor of the tournament named after them, the two former athletes have also been able to reminisce about their time at Arizona State.
“It just takes me back to being a big part of that program,” Stahl said. “You take it for granted when you're done, and you leave. The most depressing part for me when I was done playing at ASU was missing practice. I wanted to be in the gym, practicing. Games were fun, but practice, the grind of a practice, is what made me go.”
Nore echoed the sentiment, adding that she hopes the current players understand “the gift they’ve been given… because being able to play volleyball, or any sport for that matter, at Arizona State University is truly a gift. It was a dream for me.”