Meet Junior Outside- Alex

My name is Alexandria Brehony and I am a junior here at Lock Haven University. I graduated from Brandywine Heights in Mertztown, PA.  I am majoring in Sports Administration and minoring in coaching. I am a member of the LHU volleyball team and newest addition to the basketball team. I chose to come to LHU because of the great volleyball program that has been here at LHU for many years. Another reason why I chose LHU was the great scenery of the campus and how diverse it is around campus. Lock Haven also is one of the few state schools that have my major and what I want to study exactly. 

One thing that I love about Lock Haven is that I feel right in at home and am a part of a great family being a part of the volleyball team. Another great thing about LHU is the great professors here that I have within my major and minor. They all care about my education and helping me out with anything that I need. I do not ever hesitate to ask any of them for help which is great.

 

 

Meet Senior Defensive Specialist- Monica

Hey everyone!

My name is Monica Brown; I’m a graduate student here at LHU and currently in my senior season of volleyball playing as a defensive specialist! I’m the proud daughter of Colin and Joi Brown and sister to Alex Brown. Both of my parents have built their lives and careers around the performing arts. My dad, Colin, is a choral director of Bryan High School in Omaha and is currently going back to his roots of singing professional opera. My mom, Joi, was a VP of programming and education for performing arts theatres for the majority of her professional career but has recently started a new track and started her own consulting business called 4Site. My brother Alex is two years younger and we couldn’t be more different; which is awesome! He is currently a student at Kansas University, a member of the Jewish fraternity, and a part time DJ. We were born and raised throughout Wisconsin, mostly in Green Bay and then moved to Omaha, Nebraska when I was in high school. I graduated from Omaha Central High School, also as an Eagle, and then attended Iowa Western Community College for two years. During my time at Iowa Western, our volleyball team went to the NJCAA National Championship both years and placed 4^th and 6^th.  My freshmen year I was a Sign Language Interpreting major and then ended up switching to general studies because the Interpreting program was switched to a three year track.

Sometime in my sophomore year at IWCC I figured out that I wanted to major in Sport Administration so I started my search of 4-year schools with accredited programs. Through my search I found Cal U, Slippery Rock, and Lock Haven University all of which I had, then, gotten in contact with the volleyball coaches. I was interested in all three so my mom and I decided to come on a visit, so in one weekend we flew out to PA and visited all three schools. I really liked all three but something about Lock Haven just felt like the right fit. I really liked the campus, coaches and the girls I met from the team.

Upon my arrival at LHU in the fall of 2010 I immediately felt like a part of the team. Preseason was going well and it was looking like I would earn a spot as a defensive specialist. Then I received the devastating news that not all my credits transferred in from IWCC so I was 5 credits short and ineligible. I tried everything I could to gain eligibility but there was no way around it so I ended up red-shirting that season. I was very eager to be able to compete that spring and then the next two fall seasons! The following fall season started off strong as well until early on in the season I hurt my knee... I continued to play on it since nothing serious showed up. Then, the practice before our first home game I dove after a ball and didn’t get back up. I ended up partially tearing my PCL mid-season. Luckily for our team we had a very skilled freshman, Bethany, to fill in in the back row that performed excellently the rest of the season!

Academically I was on track to walk at graduation in May 2012 and receive my diploma at the end of the summer. This left me to figure out what to do about my fifth year of eligibility for volleyball. I love Lock Haven volleyball and what our program represents so I couldn’t imagine not fulfilling my eligibility. I decided to start my graduate degree and work as a graduate assistant for the Student Rec Center in order to be able to play my senior season. I’m more than happy with my decision to stay and play at Lock Haven and with the advantages that I’ll have professionally with a master’s degree.

I never imagined I would end up at Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania playing volleyball and getting my bachelors and masters degrees, but I’m so glad that it’s worked out for me here at LHU and I wouldn’t trade my experiences here for anything!

Thanks for the support of LHUVB!!!

GO EAGLES!!!

 

-Monica Brown

 

Meet Senior Setter- Alexa

Hi my name is Alexa Garrity and I am an Elementary Education major at Lock Haven University. I am going into my senior year so I will be entering my professional semester, or block as it is otherwise known. I live in the small town of Chichester, PA which is about 15 minutes south of Philadelphia. I have a younger brother who is 16 years old, my mom who is a social worker, my dad who is a refinery operator, and a dog named Cody.

 

One of the reasons I chose Lock Haven University is the competitive volleyball team. I was recruited by coach Justice and when I visited the school I fell in love with it. The size, the location, and the girls on the team were everything I was looking for in a college. Upon entering my freshman year I unfortunately got injured so I red-shirted for the year. The team has been very successful the past few years making it to the NCAA regional tournament every year since I have been a member and I am extremely excited for this upcoming year to see our team grow together and make it even further then we have in the past.

 

One thing I love most about Lock Haven is the fact that my teammates have become some of my best friends throughout the years and I consider them to be family. Being able to maintain such good friendships with girls I just met means the world to me and made my transition from high school to college very smooth, it has also helped on the court a lot because we can connect so well. I know I will remain friends with these girls for a lifetime and I'm grateful for that. Overall I am really happy I chose Lock Haven University to attend; I am coming out of the school with a degree for something I am going to love doing for the rest of my life, a successful 4 years with my teammates on the volleyball court, and friends that I will have forever.

 

-Alexa

 

 

 

 

 

Meet Senior Outside- Gao Xuan

Hi, my name is Xuan, people started to call me the X after half season of my freshman year since my name is a little hard to pronounce. In the year 2009, coach Justice recruited me all the way from China. I'm a senior at lock haven university now, doing duel major accounting and management concentration of business administration. After I graduate, I would try to find a job here in the US, or maybe trying to get a master degree.

I started to play volleyball when I was 17, it's a little late. Since i can jump 10 feet high, my high school coach let me concentrate on front row, even I was play back row, but not really doing anything there. Even today, my passing and defense are not as good as my hitting. I had a lot of fun by playing volleyball here, we worked out toghter and we accomplish our goals toghter. We learned a lot of teamworking and I'm really proud of this program here. But 3 times all American is not as exited as going to nationals which has been our goals all the time.

During my free time, I spend most of that on the internet by chating my friends and my family, and sometimes I like to swim a little bit. During vacation time, I like to take a trip to somewhere I have never been with my family.

-Xuan

Meet...Junior Middle- Bailey

     Hey guys! I would like to formally introduce myself, I'm Bailey Farthing :). My teammates refer to me as the Country loving City Slicker and Dan just calls me Bfart. When im not busting out a million sprints in the gym, I'm busy trying new food recipes with my friends, finding any excuse to blow money with my mom, or begging my father to play me a song or even just teach me how to play a guitar.

     I have been playing volleyball since the 7th grade and knew I was going to be a one sport kind of girl right then and there. I started competing at the club level in 8th grade and found my home with Columbus Volleyball Academy where my team and I qualified for Nationals two years in a row. My highschool career can be summed up with 3 Conference championships, 3 District championships, and a State runner-up medal hanging off of my bed post.

     One of the greatest things I took away from all of my years of experience was the power in just believing. Belief in our abilities and the belief in eachother. My teammates and I became fighters, gradually pushing closer and closer to our end goals, with the most rewarding and unforgettable results. I am extremely grateful to be apart of the Lock Haven Legacy, and to be able to bring my fight and drive to this team so LHVB can also reach our highest potential. It is amazing that I am able to play the game I love for a great school. I have absolutely no clue how to begin to repay my thanks for the overwhelming opportunity I have been given.

-Bailey

Meet- Senior Libero, Erin

Hello I'm Erin Walsh. I'm majoring in sport administration and pursuing a minor in coaching. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is where I am from and went to Bethlehem Catholic High School. Volleyball and sports in general is my passion. The main reason I chose Lock Haven is because of the strength of the volleyball program, the size of the school, it offered a major that I saw myself persevering in and it's a beautiful place to be. Lock Haven is a lot different then Bethlehem and I thought that it would be a huge struggle for me to get used to, but It ended up being a place where I love. Now I cant see myself not living here. Volleyball here at lock haven is competitive, successful, well known, truly like no other team I've ever been on. We are family here, we are all in this together, all want the same thing, to be successful and to have fun. This university and volleyball program has truly been the best experience of my life and I'm so thankful for this opportunity that I was given.

 

-Erin

 

 

Meet and Greet Series- Grace

Hello Lock Haven Volleyball family!

 

My name is Grace and I am a senior at Lock Haven University and one of the current middle blockers for the team.  I was born in West Des Moines, Iowa, but grew up right outside of the Pittsburgh area.  When I started playing volleyball in junior high, I was coached by Christa Harmotto, who is now on the U.S. Olympic volleyball team!  In high school, I played volleyball, basketball, ran track, and played club volleyball.  My club team was Pittsburgh Renaissance.  I graduated from Hopewell High School fourth in my class and made a smooth transition to Lock Haven, where I enjoy participating in the Honors Program.  My major is Sport Administration, and my minors are Coaching and Sport & Exercise Psychology.

 

In my small amount of free time, I like to go for runs on the levee by the Susquehanna River, read, watch superhero movies (my favorites are Spiderman and Captain America), and hang out with friends.  My best friends are my three sisters, and my birthday is on the 4th of July!  My favorite things about volleyball are getting a great block and laughing with my teammates.  Also, I love getting assists to anyone on the team.  If I wasn't a middle blocker I would definitely want to be a setter.  An interesting fact about me is that I am currently the tallest girl in the conference, at 6'3".  Yes, it is very hard to find pants that are long enough, but I assume a lot of the past and current players can empathize with me.

 

I think the best parts about Lock Haven are the close-knit community and the overall friendly and welcoming atmosphere of the school.  Since I am a senior, this fall will be my last season of playing a sport.  After I graduate, I hope to pursue my dream of being a Sport Psychologist by attending graduate school.

 

Thanks for your continued support and I look forward to seeing you at games and other LHU functions! :)

 

 

-Grace