Class of 2006
Stacey Cotton was a key contributor during the "Golden Years" of
the WPI volleyball program. Under the guidance of legendary coach
Nancy Vaskas, the team made frequent appearances in the MAIAW
Tournament, and also performed well at the Worcester City and NEW-8
championships.
During Stacey's sophomore season, WPI went an eye-popping 27-9,
reaching the finals of the Worcester City Tournament for the second
consecutive season. But she was at her best, perhaps, during the
WPI Invitational. She earned All-Tournament accolades as she helped
the Crimson and Gray finish second.
The following season, the Engineers continued their winning
ways, as Stacey led the way. The team finished the season 22-14,
with second-place finishes at the City and MAIAW tournaments. It
was during her junior season that she received he first of two
national academic awards; she earned third team College Sports
Information Directors of America (COSIDA) in 1988 and was selected
to the first team in 1989. In both seasons, she garnered first team
regional academic honors.
Stacey's senior season brought several personal and team
highlights. WPI won 16 games that year, including a win over
Division I opponent Niagara, and an appearance in the MAIAW
championship match. As throughout her career, she did a little bit
of everything, amassing 122 kills, 222 assists, 46 digs, and 44
aces. A team captain, she was chosen for the New England Women's
Volleyball Association Senior Classic Team. She's still in the Top
10 in four categories: third all-time in assists (933), fifth in
kills (499) and blocks (163), and seventh in aces (153).
"Stacey had the skills, and she had the knowledge," Vaskas says.
"She was confident, and a team leader-she had drive and
determination. She has so many positive qualities, but the thing
that put her well above the rest was her natural and exceptional
athletic ability. There's been no other volleyball player before,
during, or after her time who's had that total package. She might
very well be the best all-around volleyball athlete ever to wear a
WPI uniform."
Stacey also was a four-year member of the women's basketball
team at WPI, and, as a freshman, contributed to the Engineers' run
to the ECAC New England championship. She received an NCAA
Postgraduate Scholarship, which she used to attend Stanford.
She was active in the Air Force ROTC during her time on Boynton
Hill. Her professional career has spanned more than 15 years in the
Air Force, where she has served as a T-38 and F-16 instruction and
pilot. Currently, Major Stacey (Cotton) Bonasso is stationed at
Vance Air Force base; she and her family live in Enid, Oklahoma.
