JEFFREY REINHART jrienhart@LNPnews.com
Eastern University’s women’s volleyball program has quite the pipeline to Lancaster County.
Another Lancaster-Lebanon League volleyball standout recently committed to Eastern, which got commitments from Garden Spot star Maria Horning and Cocalico standout Courtney Reinhold last month.
Lancaster Mennonite senior Mary Poole, an L-L League All-Star and an All-State selection last fall, has committed to Eastern, which reached the championship match in its final season in the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference last fall.
Eastern is set to join the Middle Atlantic States College Athletic Corporation this fall.
Poole, a dominating middle blocker, helped Mennonite win the Section 3 championship, reach the L-L League semifinals, the District 3 Double-A finals and into the PIAA tournament last fall.
“Mary will be a great asset to Eastern’s volleyball team because she has a great attitude and she’s an extremely flexible team player,” said Mennonite coach Erin Martin, an Eastern grad who played volleyball for four years there.
“She always looks out for the best interest of the team, and she was a motivational leader at Mennonite her season year. I look forward to seeing her grow and improve under the wonderful coaching staff at Eastern.”
Eastern is coached by Mike Birtwistle, and his roster also includes Hempfield grad Katie Ressler, Mennonite grad Steph Weaver and Cedar Crest grad Mandy Platt. Plus, former Garden Spot star Kara Hildebrand is set to return to the team next season after missing last season with an injury. She’s a former All-American selection.
And next season, his roster will include Poole, Reinhold and Horning.
