A couple weeks into the 2025 season, it’s already clear that several first-year players are making a serious impact in the PSAC West — one of the premier NCAA Division II volleyball leagues in the country. That’s no small feat. From defensive specialists locking down the back row to hitters leading their teams in offensive production, these newcomers are proving they belong on one of the deepest stages in college volleyball.
Natalie Karrick – Clarion
Setter/Right Side – Clarion, PA (Clarion HS)
The hometown product is making an immediate splash for the Golden Eagles. Karrick has stepped right into a hybrid setter/opposite role, piling up 116 assists while also contributing 37 kills, 42 digs, and 10 blocks. Few freshmen in the league are asked to do as much on both sides of the ball, and her versatility has been a major boost for Clarion.
Alexis Fowler – Gannon
Defensive Specialist – Cranberry Twp., PA (Eden Christian Academy)
Fowler has wasted no time announcing herself at the collegiate level. The freshman defensive specialist leads all PSAC freshmen in digs and currently ranks 6th in the conference overall (117 digs, 4.33 per set). She’s already earned PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Week honors and has been steady in serve receive, posting six aces and adding 24 assists to her stat line. Gannon’s system demands consistency in the back row, and Fowler has delivered from day one.
Abbey Williams – Gannon
Outside Hitter – Chicago, IL (Mother McAuley Liberal Arts)
Williams has been a go-to option on the pin for Gannon. Through just two weeks, she’s already logged 75 kills (2.88 per set) and sits second among Gannon attackers. She’s also added 68 digs and 12 blocks, showing she’s far more than just an offensive weapon. For a program with championship aspirations, getting this kind of production from a freshman is a luxury.
Avery Koontz – Pitt-Johnstown
Redshirt Freshman Defensive Specialist/Libero – Hampton Twp., PA (Hampton HS)
Koontz has quickly earned trust as a steady back-row presence for UPJ. The redshirt freshman has played in every set so far (24) and has tallied 87 digs (3.63 per set) along with nine assists and three aces. While not flashy, her ability to stabilize rallies and pass at a high level has been critical to UPJ’s strong start.
Olivia Weiseman – California (Pa.)
Setter/Right Side/Defensive Specialist – Monroe, OH (Monroe HS)
Weiseman might be the most complete freshman in the PSAC West to this point. She’s leading Cal in multiple categories, including kills (79, 3.59 per set), while also contributing 15 assists, 10 service aces, 82 digs, and seven blocks. That stat line puts her 6th in the entire PSAC in kills per set and 10th in digs per set — remarkable balance for a first-year player. Weiseman is already looking like a cornerstone for the Vulcans.
Others to Watch
Several other freshmen are logging big minutes and contributing meaningfully:
- Emily Rumbaugh (Slippery Rock, OH) – 36 kills and 13 blocks through her first 25 sets.
- Klaresajane Sivas (Edinboro, S) – 14 assists and 50 digs in 22 sets.
- Ava Norfolk (Cal U, MB/OH) – 18 kills, 21 blocks, and nine aces, ranking 10th in the PSAC in blocks per set.
- Kate Flaherty (Edinboro, DS) – Steady back-row play with 21 digs across 21 sets.
- Kennedy Caldwell (Edinboro, OH) – Contributing 14 kills and 7 blocks in 18 sets.
- Alayna Jones (Cal U, OH) – Adding depth with 17 kills and eight digs over 15 sets.
All six are making an impact early, and as they adjust to the speed of the PSAC, their roles should only continue to grow.
If this opening stretch is any indication, the PSAC West’s freshmen class is going to leave its mark on the 2025 season. In a league already stacked with veteran talent and national contenders, these newcomers are not just filling roles — they’re driving results. As conference play ramps up, the growth of players like Fowler, Karrick, Williams, Koontz, and Weiseman could tip the balance in tight matches and shape the race for the division crown. The future of the PSAC West is arriving early, and it’s arriving fast.