PLNU Athletics

Aurora is still active in the sports program coaching the PLNU volleyball team. Aurora (Van Sickle) Salas has gracefully moved from a stellar volleyball player for PLNC from 1991 through 1993 to a talented coach soon after graduating.

During her three years as a Crusader, Aurora broke records and proved to be a strong outside hitter. By the end of her career at PLNC, Aurora topped the all-time career kill leader list with 888. Over the years that number has been surpassed pushing her to number 7. Aurora also served out 131 aces and pulled up 854 digs both numbers remaining among PLNU’s all-time bests. As a senior in 1993, Aurora led the team with 44 aces and was second in kills with 385. That season, as co-team MVP, she was named All-GSAC, All-Region II and NAIA second team All American.

Aurora returned to PLNU in 1999 to assist Coach Barbara Wnek. Over the next five years the team recorded a 135-47 overall mark and made four NAIA national championship appearances in the conference that has seen two national champions and a runner up in the past three years. Last year Aurora guided the team to a 22-16 overall record and a final NAIA ranking of #20. As the #4 seed in the NAIA Region II Tournament, the Sea Lions upset Azusa Pacific in the third-place match to earn an at-large bid to nationals.

A Southern California native, this PLNU graduate currently lives in San Diego with her husband Mike. When not attending to volleyball matters, Aurora also works on the PLNU campus as the coordinator for chapel attendance and assists in the procurement of academic records.

Aurora, it is with great pleasure that I welcome you into the Point Loma Nazarene University Athletic Hall of Fame as volleyball athlete. Congratulations.