HUNTINGDON, PA – The Juniata women’s volleyball program has a longstanding tradition of excellence, as shown by their success in both the Landmark Conference and NCAA Division III tournament. Head coach Heather Pavlik welcomes eight incoming student-athletes to the team for the upcoming 2015-16 season.

Maribeth Ault (Peach Bottom, PA / Solanco)

Maribeth Ault, a libero from Solanco High School, earned three varsity letters in her high school career. She was recognized as First Team All-Star in the Lancaster Lebanon League during her senior year. Ault was well respected among her teammates and coaches and was team captain her sophomore through senior year.

“We feel that Maribeth has the mindset and really good platform skills to make our gym better,” Pavlik said. “She’s an aggressive player with great length and good experience. We look forward to watching her develop.”

Ault led the team in digs for two years and helped lead them to league and district playoffs. She also played for a club team, the Spook Nook 18 Elite that won the Gold Irish Rumble in 2015.

Kaitlin Byrne (Annapolis, MD / Broadneck)

Kaitlin Byrne, a libero from Broadneck High School, has been recognized as a First Team Anne Arundel All-County, First Team All-Metro Baltimore Sun and Washington Post Honorable Mention athlete. Byrne received each of the previous accolades twice during her highs school career.

“Katie is an extremely intelligent and mature player,” Pavlik said. “This will serve her well as she learns and picks up concepts very quickly.”

She was named team captain her senior year, as well as team MVP. In her junior year, Byrne was named to the Arundel All-Tournament Team and was a member of the County Champions team.

“The ball comes off of Katie’s platform nicely and she serves the ball effectively as well,” Pavlik said. “We will continue to help her become even more aggressive with her defensive play.”

Tara Neidigh (Boalsburg, PA / State College)

Tara Neidigh earned three varsity letters at State College High School as a libero and defensive specialist. She was recognized as the 2014 Defensive Player of the Year.

“Tara has had the benefit of really good coaching both in her club and high school experience,” Pavlik said. “She stays calm and collected on the court and this helps her teammates do the same.”

Neidigh was named to the 2014 District 6 All-Star Team, Mid-Penn Commonwealth All-Star First Team, PennLive 2014 Big 15 All-Star Second Team and the 2014 Keystone Volleyball All-Star Northeast Team.

“Tara is a really solid and consistent all-around player,” Pavlik said. “Her skills are technically sound and she has a great personality to go with them.”

She helped her team win three District 6 Championships and two Mid-Penn Commonwealth Championships. During those seasons, they also finished in the PVCA AA Top-10. Neidigh was a co-captain during her senior season and also played for the Revolution Volleyball Club in Chambersburg.

Ashley Sweigart (New Holland, PA / Garden Spot)

Ashley Sweigart, a middle hitter and opposite from Garden Spot, was named Defensive Player of the Year her senior season. A team captain her senior year, she has been actively encouraging her team to push themselves to improve throughout her high school career.

“Ashley has been blessed with a long, lean frame and a strong arm,” Pavlik said. “We feel that competing in our training gym every day will give her the opportunity to develop her entire game.”

Garden Spot was able to win two Section 2 Championship titles while Sweigart was a part of the team. She was also named a LL League First Team All-Star athlete last season.

“With added strength and endurance, we feel that Ashley’s net game will improve tremendously,” Pavlik said. “She has been coached very well and that will help her transition.”

Shaina Robinett (York, PA / Leadership Charter School)

Shaina Robinett played as an outside hitter and defensive specialist for West York. Named team captain for the past two seasons, she stood out as a leader for her team.

“Shaina is a very good athlete and is barely scratching the surface of what she can become,” Pavlik said. “She has a good platform and good range defensively.”

Robinett was named an Academic All-American Honorable Mention by Prep Volleyball and also selected to the 2014 Under Armour Watch List.

“Shaina is constantly learning and has spent the Spring playing with a very good team with great coaches,” Pavlik said. “We’re very excited to see how fast she develops in our gym.”

Kaitlyn Thomas (Batesville, IN / Batesville)

Kaitlyn Thomas was a tri-sport athlete at Batesville High School. As a volleyball athlete, she excelled as a setter over her four years and earned three varsity letters.

“Katie is a very athletic setter and multi-sport athlete,” Pavlik said. “She’s the daughter of a coach and has been in the gym her entire life, which has accelerated her competitive maturity.”

Thomas is the all-time assist leader at Batesville and holds both the Single Season Assist Record (1158 in 2013) and the Single Match Assist Record of 62.

“Katie understands how to be in charge and direct the floor,” Pavlik said. “She’s a strong defensive presence, great server and offensive threat when in the front row.”

Thomas was named the 2013 and 2014 Bulldog Offensive Player of the Year, as well as the 2014 Batesville MaxPreps Player of the Year. She was selected to the 2014 EIAC All-Conference Team, 2013 and 2014 ICGSA Class 3A Second Teams and the 2014 Greenfield Cougar Challenger All-Tourney Team.

Marybeth Weihbrecht (Enola, PA / Cumberland Valley)

Marybeth Weihbrecht, a middle hitter from Cumberland Valley, was a two-time Mid-Penn Conference First Team and District III AA First Team athlete during her high school career.

She helped her team to District III AAA Championship titles in 2012 and 2013.

“Marybeth is gifted with a great frame and is top-notch physically,” Pavlik said. “Her upper limit is extremely high and we’re looking forward to developing her potential.”

Cumberland Valley was the runner-up for the District III title in 2014, as well as the state AAA runner-up in 2013. Weihbrecht was also named a First Team All-State performer in 2014.

“Marybeth has a wonderful personality and has had the benefit of good coaching which will help her transition to our training gym immediately,” Pavlik said.”

Sarah Wiley (Hockessin, DE / Padua Academy)

Sarah Wiley, a libero and defensive specialist from Padua Academy, was a member of two state championship teams. During her senior year, she was named team captain. Wiley was selected to play in the All-Star game and picked to the Second Team All-State in 2014.

“We really love Sarah’s aggressiveness and tenacity,” Pavlik said. “She has a great mindset for playing defense and directing the back row.”

Wiley was an All-Conference selection her junior year. Wiley also was named team captain of her club team, the Delaware Juniors, for three seasons.

“Sarah’s skills are great but it’s her mental toughness that makes her unique,” Pavlik said. “We cannot wait to get her into our training gym and see what kind of impact she makes right away.”