Ashley Schnader is heading to Juniata; Rachel Wenger to Eastern University

They are two of the top volleyball players in the Lancaster-Lebanon League.

And they also just happen to be teammates.

And this week, Garden Spot senior heavy hitters Ashley Schnader and Rachel Wenger made their highly anticipated college choices.

And both young ladies picked high-powered Division III programs.

Schnader has committed to Juniata College and Wenger has committed to Eastern University.

“Both ladies are very excited with their choices,” Garden Spot coach Dennis Werner said in a release. “Obviously they are going to two of the top Division III programs in the country. We at Garden Spot are very proud of them, and wish them the best with their bright futures.”

Athletic hitters and dominating players around the net, Schnader and Wenger helped the Spartans reach the state finals in their junior season, and last fall they helped Garden Spot win the L-L League title and make deep runs in the District 3 and state playoffs once again.

Last season, Schnader had 352 kills and 62 blocks, and Wenger had 198 kills, 23 blocks and 34 aces for the Spartans.

Schnader and Wenger were both named to the All-State Team and to the All-District 3 Team, and both were L-L League Lancaster Newspapers’ All-Stars. Schnader was named LNP Player of the Year.

Juniata went 35-5 overall and reached the national semifinals last season. Conestoga Valley grad Amber Thomas recently wrapped up an outstanding career for Juniata, where she was named Division III Player of the Year for the second season in a row.

Eastern went 35-2 overall and reached the Sweet 16 last season, falling to Juniata in that round. Former Garden Spot star Maria Horning and former Cocalico standout Courtney Reinhold, both freshmen, earned All-American status for Eastern.

Wenger will be reunited with Horning, her former setter with the Spartans, in college.