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 the NCAA Division III tournament. Head coach Heather Pavlik welcomes eight incoming student-athletes to the team for the 2017 season.

Abby E'Nama (Rehoboth, Beach, Del./Cape Henlopen)

E'Nama was a four-year varsity letter winner at Cape Henlopen. She was an Honorable Mention All-Conference in both her sophomore and junior years and was named the Best Defensive Player in her junior season. She earned Second Team All-Conference Honors in her senior season. E'Nama is a member of Premier Volleyball Club of Delaware.

"Abby brings some length and size to our team at middle hitter that will challenge those who line up across the net from her each and every day making our practice gym even more competitive," said Pavlik.   "We are excited to get her involved with our strength and conditioning program which will help her with both her offensive and defensive production."

Samantha Freese (Lewisberry, Pa./Red Land)

Freese earned three letters at Red Land and was a four-year player for Spooky Nook Volleyball Club as an opposite. She was team captain in 2015 and 2016. Freese was a 2015 Mid-Penn All-Star Honorable Mention, was named to the 2016 Mid-Penn All-Star Second Team, and participated in the Senior All-Star game.

"Sammy is a dynamic left-handed athlete who will bring something unique to our gym," noted Pavlik.  "Her skills are very solid and she has great natural athleticism and enthusiasm.  She has so much potential yet to develop as she had to sit out her junior club season with a knee injury so we are looking forward to developing that potential."

Sophia Gingrich (Minneapolis, Minn./Minneapolis Southwest)

Gingrich earned three letters as a setter. Her team was conference champions in her sophomore season. She was named the Most Improved in her sophomore year. Gingrich was selected All-Conference in her senior season and an Academic All-State. She is a member of the M1 Volleyball Club.

"Sophia is a very bright and technically sound setter," stated Pavlik.  "She is a good all-around player with very good defensive skills which will be wonderful for the team immediately.  Her maturity and work ethic will help her transition to the collegiate environment quickly." 

Marie Gonsar (New Castle, Pa./Shenango High)

Gonsar played four years at Shenango High and earned four letters. She was the team's MVP in her junior and senior years and a captain her senior year. She was a three-time First Team All-Section and a Second Team All-Section in her freshman year. Gonsar was First Team WPIAL in her junior and senior seasons and Second Team in her sophomore campaign. Gonsar was also First Team All-State in her junior and senior years. She is member of the Pittsburgh Elite Volleyball Club.

"Marie is a very dynamic and explosive athlete which will make her very competitive at multiple positions," says Pavlik.  "Her solid all-around game and willingness to play any position for her teams makes her a great fit for this program.  She has played in a very competitive club environment which will be a big benefit to her moving forward." 

Abby Luensmann (Altoona, Pa./Bellwood-Antis)

Luensmann was a three-sport athlete at Bellwood-Antis where she also competed in basketball and swimming. She was a four-year letter winner in volleyball at setter and middle hitter. In her sophomore year, she set the school record for digs in a single season as a middle hitter. As a setter in her junior and senior seasons, she was a two-time First Team Inter-County Conference honoree and a District 6 Second Team selection in her junior year. Luensmann is a member of the Horseshoe Volleyball Club.

"Abby is a top-notch athlete who has tons of potential that we are very much looking forward to developing," stated Pavlik. "She is explosive, strong, and fast so the sky is the limit with regards to her top level athletically but her best qualities are her willingness to work very hard and comprehend information quickly.  These attributes will serve her well as a setter moving forward."

Carrie McGlohon (LaVerne, Calif./Bonita High)

McGlohon was a four-year letter winner at Bonita High. She was the offensive MVP from 2014-2016. She was also All-League from 2014-2016 and All-Area in 2015 and 2016. McGlohon was an Academic All-League selection in 2015 and 2016 and a scholar athlete from 2014-2016. She was a silver medalist at the 2015 Girls Junior Nationals for Forza Volleyball Club.

"Carrie is a long and versatile athlete," noted Pavlik. "Her skills are very good and she has been in a very competitive environment for her entire volleyball career.  She brings a wealth of knowledge for the game having played against and with some of the best players on the west coast.  Her confident demeanor will serve her well transitioning to the next level." 

Tatum Poirier (Evans City, Pa./Seneca Valley)

Poirier earned three letters playing outside hitter and rightside hitter. As an outsider hitter, she was a Third Team All-Section Class AAA selection in her sophomore season. She was a two-time All-Section AAA pick and All-State AAAA. Her club team, Pittsburgh Elite Volleyball, qualified for nationals twice. A captain in her senior year, Poirier was a Western Pennsylvania Big 56 First Team selection and was nominated twice as a Pittsburgh Positive Athlete. Seneca Valley won the AAAA WPIAL Championship in her senior season.

"Tatum is a great six rotation outside hitter that has great all around skills and athleticism," remarked Pavlik.  "These attributes along with her positive spirit and ability to lift those around her, will make an immediate impact on this team.  She has played with and against other great players in her high school and club experience which should make her transition to the college game much easier." 

Victoria Taylor (Middletown, Del./Delaware Military Academy)

Taylor was a four-year letter winner playing at outside hitter. She is a two-time state champion and three-time conference champion. Taylor was a three-time Gatorade Player of the Year nominee and a two-time DIAA State Player of the Year nominee. She was a six rotation player for three years and surpassed 1,000 career kills. Taylor played for Brandywine, Premier and Mason Dixon Volleyball Club. Her team qualified for the Junior's Tournament twice and won gold medals in each of her five years of travel volleyball.

"Victoria is a difference maker in many different ways," says Pavlik. "She is an explosive and long outside hitter with an infectious personality.  She is the type of person who keeps her team positive and generates energy.  This will be greatly appreciated in our training gym and program.  She is a proven winner having played on two state championship teams in Delaware.  We are looking forward to developing her backrow and passing skills in our gym moving forward."