(Posted April 26, 2010)

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

Harpster, a 5-10 middle hitter, will join the Eagles in August 2010 as they pursue their 30th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and a third national title.

"Taylor is one of the best pure athletes we've recruited," said Juniata head coach Larry Bock. "She's got a rocket for an arm and the kind of hand-eye coordination that translates into being a good passer. These qualities along with her intelligence should make her a very successful collegiate volleyball player. We really like her extremely successful multi-sport background because she has developed good leadership qualities and the proven ability to win."

Harpster clinched Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association (PVCA) First Team All-State honors in 2007, 2008, and 2009, and was also named a three time All-State selection in each season of softball. She has helped Philipsburg-Osceola volleyball win back-to-back District VI titles in 2008 and 2009 and advanced to the PIAA state quarterfinals in her last season.

Taylor is the daughter of John and Bobbi Harpster and will be pursuing a degree in science/allied health at Juniata.

Taylor Harpster will be competing for one of the storied volleyball programs in NCAA women's volleyball. Eagle head coach, Larry Bock, has a career record of 1,218-186 which gives him the most wins of any collegiate women's volleyball coach in any division. With Bock at the helm, the Eagles captured two National Championships (2004, 2006) while reaching the national semifinal on 24 occasions, eight times advancing to the championship match. Juniata has had 34 players earn American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-American 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.