HUNTINGDON, Pa.-The Juniata women's volleyball program has a longstanding tradition of excellence, as shown by their 11 straight Landmark Conference Championships and 38 straight appearances in the NCAA tournament. Head coach Heather Pavlik and assistant coach Casey Dale welcome five incoming student-athletes to the team for the 2018 season.

Makenna Hallager (Glenolden, Pa./Merion Mercy Academy)

Hallager played four years of varsity volleyball and softball and also earned a varsity letter in swimming in her time at Merion Mercy Academy. She was a four-time PVCA All-District selection. She was also a PVCA All-State selection in her senior year. She was a co-captain with future teammate Genevieve Wittrock at Merion Mercy. Hallager is a member of the East Coast Power Volleyball Club who is headed to Nationals next week. 

"Makenna is a physical and skilled libero," said Pavlik.  "She has wonderful platform skills, serves extremely tough and is a very aggressive and athletic defensive player.  To go along with the physical gifts she possesses, she has a personality and smile that is infectious.  She has a universal kind of appeal to her teammates and they naturally want to follow her.   We are thrilled to have her enthusiasm in our gym."

Moira Folan (Pittsburgh, Pa./Oakland Catholic) 

Folan was a four-year letter-winner at Oakland Catholic.  She was a three-time All-Section selection and made the All-WPIAL team three times. She is a longtime member of the Pittsburgh Elite Volleyball Club and her team qualified for nationals her final three years. Her junior year, her team placed third at Nationals where she was selected to the all-tournament team. Folan was a BIG 56 recipient and a team captain her final two year of high school. Her senior year, she was selected to the all-tournament team at Power League, and the team is heading to Nationals in another week.

"Moira is an extremely talented and intelligent setter," remarked Pavlik. "She has played with and against really good players for her entire career. She is very passionate and driven to see the team goal achieved. Her personality is steady, determined and friendly which makes her a very good court leader. We are very excited to have her in our gym and watch her develop to her fullest potential."

Grace Erskine (Mooresville, NC/Community School of Davidson)

Erskine played three years of varsity volleyball while attending Community School of Davidson. She received all-conference and all-region honors as a junior and a senior. She captured 1A State Championships her final two seasons and was the NC 1A State Championship MVP as a junior. She was also inducted into the National Honors Society for maintaining a 4.0. Erskine is a member Carolina Juniors Volleyball Club. 

"Grace possesses great length and size in the middle," stated Pavlik.  "She is an exceptional blocker as she is patient and has a great sense of where the ball will cross the net.  She is a consummate team player to the benefit of all those who play next to her. She gives tremendous effort to make herself available at all times offensively as well. We are excited to add her work ethic and size to this team."

Lauren Levi (Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS)

Levi played four years of varsity volleyball at Oregon City. She was an Mt. Hood Conference All-League Second Teamer in 2016 and 2017. Her team made the first round of the State Playoffs her final season of which she was a co-captain. Levi is a member of the Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy. 

"Lauren has a rocket for an arm which makes her excel in the offensive and serving side of her game," said Pavlik.  "She has been working very hard on her ball control game and it shows this spring.  She is a very fiery competitor and just loves to play the game.  We are excited to bring her passion for the game into our gym."

Genevieve Wittrock (Collegeville, Pa./Merion Mercy Academy)

Wittrock earned four varsity letters while at Merion Mercy Academy. Her senior year she made the conference all-star team, the PVCA Association All-State Team, was named team MVP and was a co-captain with incoming teammate Makenna Hallager in her final season. She is a member of the East Coast Power Volleyball Club which is heading to Nationals next week. 

"Gen is a very good six rotation player," noted Pavlik. "Her ability to play the whole game is what we love so much about her. She is a very good athlete with a great jump and top-notch lateral speed. She is a determined competitor and has experience playing with and against very good players in her club career. We are looking forward to having Gen's athleticism in our gym."