(Posted May 20, 2010)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Juniata College women's volleyball has received a commitment from Rachelle Wiegand (Manheim, Pa./Manheim Township) to continue her education at Juniata while competing as a member of the two-time NCAA Division III champion women's volleyball team.

Wiegand, a 5-6 outside hitter, will join the Eagles in August 2010 as they pursue their 30th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and a third national title.

"Rachelle is that rare blend of a great athlete and wonderful leader. She is a great all-around player who will immediately help our passing and overall ball control," said Juniata head coach Larry Bock. "When we first watched her play as a sophomore, we were struck by the positive energy and pure joy that she exuded. Rachelle immediately makes the people around her better because she gives so much energy and confidence - and that is why her teams always win."

A three-time Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association (PVCA) First team All-State selection, Wiegand earned PIAA District III AAA Player of the Year honors as a senior. She was a four-time PIAA District III All-Star, and was named Lancaster-Lebanon League Player of the Year in 2009 while earning her third straight L-LL Section III MVP honor. At the club level, she played for the Revolution Volleyball Club and coach Dan Labonte.

She is the daughter of Fred and Marilyn Wiegand, and is undecided on her course of study at Juniata.

Rachelle Wiegand will be competing for a Juniata women's volleyball team that stands as one of the storied programs in the history of the sport.

The Eagles are led by Larry Bock, whose career record of 1,218-186 gives him the most wins of any collegiate women's volleyball coach in any division. With Bock at the helm, the Eagles captured the 2004 and 2006 NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Championships. Juniata has reached the national semifinals on 24 occasions, eight times advancing to the championship match. The Eagles have had 34 players earn American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-America honors, the most of any NCAA women's volleyball program.

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