(Posted May 12, 2008)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Juniata College women's volleyball has received commitments from four high school standouts who will be joining the program for the 2008 season.

The four players are (in alphabetical order):

Drew Barnhart (Titusville, Pa./Titusville)
Outside Hitter/Opposite Hitter

"Drew is a tremendous athlete and volleyball player who has been coached by Debbie Carr, just about the best in the business. This means that Drew will come to us with terrific fundamentals and knows how to work hard and work well within an advanced system. Drew should make an immediate impact in our gym," stated Larry Bock, Athletic Director and Head Women's Volleyball Coach.

Drew earned First team All-State as well as All-District honors in both 2006 and 2007 as a member of the Rockets volleyball squad, and was a four-year letterwinner on Titusville's girls' basketball team. Also on her resume is a distinguished club career as a member of the Flash Volleyball Club.

Drew is the daughter of Joe and Kathy Barnhart and will start in exploratory studies at Juniata College.

Erin Bean (Clarion, Pa./Clarion)
Outside Hitter

"Erin has had exceptional coaching and is fundamentally a terrific player. She's worked hard to challenge herself with club competition, but the energy and vitality she brings to a team means more than anything else to us," said Bock.

Erin earned All-State and All-District honors in 2007. She was also named league MVP. Erin plays for former Juniata volleyball player Shari Campbell at Clarion High School. Also on her resume is a distinguished club career as a member of the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Volleyball Club.

Erin is the daughter of Terry Bean and Gayle Truett and will be pursuing a degree in Political Science at Juniata College.

Amanda Schmidt (Boswell, Pa./North Star)
Middle Hitter

"Amanda is a terrific student and a wonderful athlete. She comes to us from one of the top volleyball programs in the state at North Star and she should immediately impact our team's ability to compete for more NCAA Championships," said Bock.

Amanda earned All-State honors in 2006 and 2007 and All-Conference, All-County and All-District honors in those same years. Just recently, Amanda was awarded with the prestigious AVCA High School All-America award; she was the lone player from Pennsylvania to receive this honor. Also on her resume is a distinguished club career as a member of the Johnstown Fire Volleyball Club.

Amanda is the daughter of David and Priscilla Schmidt and will be pursuing a degree in Digital Media at Juniata.

Collin Wallace (West Chester, Pa./West Chester East)
Outside Hitter

"Collin is a terrific athlete with a very high volleyball I.Q. She has been extremely well coached, grew up knowing the game, and will certainly be an immediate asset to our school and team. We are really looking forward to Collin's four years at Juniata," said Bock.

Collin earned All-State and All-District honors during her senior season at West Chester East High School, playing for coach Jim Virgillo. She was also a First team All-Area honoree and league MVP-West team last season, after receiving Second team All-Area honors during her sophomore and junior campaigns. Collin was a three-time First team All-League selection.

As a member of the Vikings girls' volleyball team, she helped lead West Chester East to a share of the Ches-Mont League regular season title, and an eighth seed in the District tournament. Also on her resume is a distinguished club career as a member of the Philadelphia Volleyball Academy. Academically, she is a member of the National Honor Society, and vice president of the Spanish National Honor Society. Collin is the daughter of Jonathan and Maureen Wallace.

All four players will be will be competing for one of the storied volleyball programs in NCAA women's volleyball.

Eagle coach Larry Bock has a career record of 1,147-177 in 31 seasons at Juniata College, and he has the most wins of any collegiate women's volleyball coach in any division. With Bock at the helm, Juniata has won two National Championships (2004 and 2006) and made 27 straight NCAA Tournament appearances. They have reached the national semifinals 22 times. Juniata has had 33 players earn All-America honors from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), the most of any team in NCAA women's volleyball.

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Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.