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Heather Pavlik '95 named Juniata head women's volleyball coach
HUNTINGDON, Pa.-- Three-time All-American and long-time
assistant Heather Pavlik '95 has been named the
new Head Women's Volleyball Coach at Juniata College, taking the
reigns from former mentor Larry Bock. The announcement was made
Wednesday by Juniata Dean of Students Kris Clarkson.
Bock resigned on Tuesday morning to accept the head women's
volleyball coaching position at the United States Naval Academy in
Annapolis, Md. Pavlik was immediately named interim head coach, and
was asked on Tuesday afternoon to take over the program on a
permanent basis.
"Heather was the obvious choice to continue the rich tradition of
Juniata women's volleyball, and build upon the program's
accomplishments under Larry Bock," said Clarkson. "She has been a
part of much of that success - as a student, as an athlete, and as
a coach - and understands perhaps better than anyone what it takes
to be a successful student-athlete at Juniata College. We're
pleased she will remain a part of Juniata College and our women's
volleyball program."
The 2010 campaign was Pavlik's 15th on the bench with the Juniata
women's volleyball program, and her eighth since being named
associate head coach prior to the 2003 season. Since joining the
Juniata staff, the Eagles have amassed a record of 493-63, and she
was on the bench helping guide Juniata to its NCAA Division III
national championships in 2004 and 2006.
During her tenure with Juniata women's volleyball, the Eagles have
captured 36 All-America honors. Her work with the team's setters
has produced five All-Americans and three Division III national
players of the year.
"I am both excited and saddened right now," said Pavlik. "I am
losing the opportunity to spend every day working with one of my
very favorite people in the world but excited that he has prepared
me so well for this position. He is truly the best friend and
mentor that anyone could hope to have."
"I know that I am following a true legend and that he has left me
an amazing program. My goal will be to honor his legacy by keeping
this program at a nationally competitive level. I am truly
appreciative to Juniata for giving me the opportunity to coach at a
place that I hold so near and dear to my heart," said Pavlik.
Pavlik also served as an assistant coach with the Juniata men's
volleyball program from 1998 through 2001. The Eagles captured
their first Molten Division III Invitational title in 1998 with
Pavlik as an assistant coach, as well as the EIVA Division III
crown. Juniata captured its second EIVA Division III title in 1999,
while placing fourth at the Molten Invitational.
A 1995 graduate of Juniata College with a Bachelor of Science
degree in biology, Pavlik earned American Volleyball Coaches
Association (AVCA) First team All-America honors in 1992, 1993, and
1994. She is a 2005 inductee into the Juniata College Sports Hall
of Fame, and was one of six former collegiate players named to the
NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Silver Anniversary Team.
Pavlik was formerly Heather Blough before marrying Mark Pavlik,
the head coach of the Penn State men's volleyball program, in June
1997. The couple lives in Cornpropst Mills, Pa., with their son,
Jackson. She is a native of Johnstown, Pa., and a graduate of
Richland High School.
Clarkson also announced that Greg Curley,
assistant athletics director and head men's basketball coach at
Juniata College, will serve as interim athletics director. Curley
is in his tenth season as head coach of the Juniata men's
basketball program, after serving as an assistant for three seasons
(1996-1999). A native of State College, Pa., Curley has been an
assistant athletic director at Juniata since 2005. A national
search for a new director of athletics will take place this
spring.
