LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven volleyball team and third-year head coach Mike Kraft have announced the signing of 11 student-athletes as part of the 2025-26 incoming class.
 
The incoming class features nine freshman and two transfers from Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Florida, Virgina and Canada.
 
The future Bald Eagles have all either signed a National Letter of Intent to compete at The Haven or have been accepted and/or are enrolled at Lock Haven.
 
"I am really excited for the class of 2025," Coach Kraft said. "They are a competitive bunch that should raise the bar in our practice gym as well as in the classroom. Transfer sophomores, Maddy Fox and Maddie Lacelle, will bring experience to our very young team. Of the 19 rostered players, 11 of them will be new to the program this Fall."
 
 
Avery Smith (New Holland, Pa./Garden Spot)
Position: Middle Hitter
Club/Travel Team: PA Elite Volleyball Academy
Major: Business Marketing
Accolades: 2024 Section Champions, 2x Section All Star, 2024 District All Star
Why I chose Lock Haven: I chose Lock Haven because it has a competitive volleyball team that I could contribute to and learn from while also having a strong business program that aligns with my career goals.
 
Lola Coulter (Schwenksville, Pa./ Perkiomen Valley)
Position: Outside Hitter
Club/Travel Team: Synergy - King of Prussia
Major: Nursing
Accolades: Three-time All Division 2nd Team
Why I chose Lock Haven: I fell in love with the campus when I visited and found it was the perfect school for me to balance both my academic and athletic life.   The girls and coaching staff were so welcoming, and it just felt like the perfect fit for me!
 
Maddie Mitchell (DeForest, Wis./Deforest)
Position: Outside Hitter
Club/Travel Team: Madtown Juniors
Major: Psychology
Accolades: 2024 Badger Large POY, 2024 Unanimous First Team All-Conference, 2024 All state Honorable Mention, 2024 Conference Champ, 2021-2024 Deforest Volleyball Captain, 2022-2025 Madtown Club Captain
Why I chose Lock Haven: I can't wait to deepen my love and skills for volleyball and Coach Kraft and the returning players have created the perfect environment for me to do so. Also, the campus is so beautiful and made me feel at home. The psych program and rates of employment after college make me comfortable in knowing I do not have to fear what comes next in the future!
 
Katelynn Olmstead (Cambridge Springs, Pa./Fort LeBoeuf)
Position: Outside Hitter
Club Team: Erie Sports Center Volleyball Club
Intended Major: Pre-Physician Assistant
Accolades: 2nd Team All Region 2022, 1st Team All Region 2023 and 2024, 2nd Team All District 10 in 2024
Why I chose Lock Haven: I loved the campus and the atmosphere at Lock Haven, and I have the opportunity to continue playing volleyball while also being in a good academic program.
 
Payton Stanton (Punta Gorda, Fl./Charlotte)
Position: Middle Hitter
Club/Travel Team: Flying Fish
Major: Media and Journalism
Accolades: FACA Player of the Year, Two-time District Champs, Two-time regional Champs
Why I chose Lock Haven: I loved the sense of community in the sports programs and  in the campus life at Lock Haven. I loved the new environment it brought as well.
 
Maddie Wagner (East Berlin, Pa./ Bermudian Springs)
Position: Setter
Club: Ballyhoo Volleyball Club
Major: Sports Marketing/Business
Accolades: 2022 YAIAA Division 3 Second Team … 2023/2024 YAIAA Division 3 First Team, 2023 PIAA District 3 Second Team … 2024 PIAA District 3 First Team … 2024 PIAA All State Team … 2023 Most Improved Player.
Why I chose Lock Haven: I chose Lock Haven because of the community it offered, and it was a place that I could go to better my education while also improving my volleyball skills.
 
Olivia Taylor (Bellefonte, Pa./ Bald Eagle Area)
Position: Libero/DS
Club/Travel Team: Horseshoe Volleyball Club
Major: Early Childhood Education
Accolades: PVCA All State Team in 2023, All District 1st Team in 2023, All District 3rd Team in 2024, District 6 Champions (2023), LHAC Championship Runner-Up (2024)
Why I chose Lock Haven: I chose Lock Haven University because it aligns with both my academic and athletic goals. What set the university apart for me was its welcoming, family-like atmosphere, it immediately made me feel at home and confident that I would thrive both in the classroom and on the court.
 
Layla Katschilo (Whitby, Ontario (Canada)/ Brooklin)
Position: Middle Hitter
Club/Travel Team: Durham Rebels Volleyball Club
Intended Major: Biomedical Sciences
Accolades: 3x Lake Ontario Secondary School Athletics (LOSSA) champion … 1x Lake Ontario Secondary School Athletics (LOSSA) silver medalist … D1T2 Ontario Volleyball Association (OVA) provincial gold, silver & bronze medalist … Brock University invitational tournament All-Star
Why I chose Lock Haven: Lock Haven gave me the opportunity to pursue an education in the career path that I am interested in, as well as the opportunity to play volleyball at the university level. The girls and coaching staff were extremely welcoming, and I felt very comfortable being around them. I also LOVED the feel of campus and how open the environment was.
 
Jordan Carter (Fredericksburg, Va./James Monroe)
Position: Outside Hitter
Club/Travel Team: 540 Volleyball Academy
Intended major: Biology
Accolades: All-Region & All-District 1^st Team (2021-24) … Team MVP (2022-24) … Distinguished Athlete Award (2024).
Why I chose Lock Haven: From the moment I stepped on campus, Lock Haven felt like home. Meeting the team only strengthened that feeling—it was like joining one big family. The girls were incredibly welcoming and made me feel like I had been part of the group from the very start. Coach Kraft's experience, deep knowledge of the game, and genuine personality solidified my decision and made me realize I had found my new home.
 
Maddie Lacelle (Transfer So.) (Ottawa, Canada/ Sacred Heart Catholic/Monroe University)
Position: Libero/Defensive Specialist
Club/Travel Team: Ottawa Fusion
Major: Sports Management
Why I chose Lock Haven: Lock Haven has felt like a second home to me since I stepped on Campus. Coming in as a transfer Coach Kraft and girls have been so welcoming and have made me feel like a part of the Lock Haven community. Can't wait for my sophomore season at Lock Haven!
 
Maddy Fox (Transfer So.) (Middletown, Pa./ Middletown/Gardner Webb)
Position: Middle Hitter / Opposite
Club/Travel Team: Nook Volleyball Academy
Major: Secondary Education / History
Why I chose Lock Haven: I chose Lock Haven because I wanted to be closer to home and I wanted to be a part of a program that values all team members.  I'm excited to work with Coach Kraft and the rest of the team so that we have a successful season! I'm also excited to explore the region's nature trails and parks!"