HUNTINGDON, Pa.- The Juniata women's volleyball program has a longstanding tradition of excellence, as shown by their 12 straight Landmark Conference Championships and 38 straight appearances in the NCAA tournament. The Eagles had an excellent season last year that resulted in a sweep of conference awards, six all-region selections, and five All-American selections as the team advanced to the Final Four.
Head coach Heather Pavlik and associate head coach Casey Dale welcome five incoming student-athletes to the team for the 2019 season.
Emma Davis (Dover, Pa./Dover Area HS)
Potential positions: OH/MH/OPP
Davis was a four-year letter winner at Dover Area High School. Her senior year she was named All-State, was the York County Division I Player of the Year and named to the District III All-Star team. During her junior season, she was a member of the HP team which finished second in the gold bracket at Fort Lauderdale, Florida and was named to the York County Division I second team. She played club volleyball for Ballyhoo Volleyball Club.
"Emma is a very talented and physical hitter who can play multiple positions," remarked Pavlik. "She plays a great net game both offensively and defensively but also has ball control skills that not a lot of people have seen yet. Her positive and happy demeanor will make her an exceptionally easy teammate to play alongside."
Brianne Carmody (Midlothian, Va./James River High School)
Position: MH
Carmody lettered all four years at James River High School. She was named to the Richmond Times Dispatch All-Metro Team her final two seasons. She was named to the All-Conference team her sophomore through her senior seasons. Carmody was named to the Virginia Volleyball Showcase All-Tournament team her junior year and was also awarded the Coach's Award that season. She was named MVP her sophomore and senior years. Carmody was also a conference champion her freshman and sophomore year. She played for the Richmond Volleyball Club National Travel Team for four seasons.
"Brianne brings size and power to our middle hitter position," stated Pavlik. "She has a fun personality that will be wonderful to have in the gym, locker room and on the road. We are really excited to get her in our gym and watch her fully develop her offensive game along with using her physicality to be a major presence at the net blocking."
Aly Reardon (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown West HS)
Position: OH
Reardon was a four-year letter winner in volleyball and also earned one varsity letter playing basketball in her time at Downingtown West. Her senior year, she was named 4A First Team All-League, All-Area, All-District and All-State. She led the team to a fifth-place finish in the state, their best ever finish. In her junior season, Reardon was named First Team All-League, All-District and All-State. Her sophomore campaign saw her earn Second Team All-League, All-District, and All-Area. She won the Most Offensive Award as she led the team to their first-ever trip to the state tournament. During her freshman season, she was named Second Team All-League and earned All-District honorable mention. Reardon was a two-time team MVP and is the first player in school history to tally 1000 kills.
"Aly is a great all-around 6 rotation player and a truly self-less teammate who will fit right in with our team culture," said Pavlik. " She is a very strong passer and defender but also very effective offensively. She has played with and against great players in her club experience which will help her make the transition to the collegiate game much more quickly."
Maggie Taylor (MadisonLake, MN/ Mankato East)
Potential Position: S
Taylor was a five-year letter winner in volleyball and track and field while also earning four varsity letters in dance at Mankato East High School. She was named to the Big 9 All-Conference Team her final two seasons. She was named to the 100 Super Seniors and was a 2AAA All-Section selection by Minnesota Breakdown Magazine in 2018. She also won the Top Server Award and was named Team MVP her senior year, while also being a captain. Taylor was named a Top 75 Junior and won the Varsity Hardest Worker Award. She was an Elite 35 Underclassman as a freshman and a sophomore. Her freshman season, she was also Big 9 All-Conference Honorable Mention.
She was a captain of the dance team and the track team her final season. Her junior year, she was awarded the Most Improved Athlete Award for track and field.
"Maggie comes from a really strong Minnesota volleyball area so she has played with and against really good competition her entire volleyball career," expressed Heather. " She is an extremely bright player who is able to process lots of information very quickly and has a steady personality to help ground her team. She has received great training in club, and we are looking forward to developing those skills at the next level."
McKenna Walker (York, Pa./York Catholic)
Potential Positions: Libero/DS
Walker was a four-year letter winner for volleyball during her time at York Catholic and a one-year letter winner for basketball. Walker made the District 3 AA First team three of her four years, and she was honorable mention as a freshman. She made the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association 2A All-State her final two seasons. She made the York-Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association D3 First Team her final two seasons. Walker holds the school's dig record with 1060 digs. She was named to the GameTime PA All-Stars as a junior. Walker was a PIAA District 3 Class Champions a freshman and was runner-up her final three years. She was also York-Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association District 3 Co-Champions as a senior.
"McKenna has all of the right ingredients to be an outstanding Libero and Defensive Specialist for this team," articulated Pavlik. " Her ball control skills are really solid and her serve is very aggressive. She has a positive and energetic demeanor that will lend itself well to making an impact in our gym this fall."
