When it comes to playing a sport in college, it takes a lot to leave a mark on a program and etch your name in a school’s record books.

The NCAA allows four years for athletes to make an impression, while growing on and off the field, court or track. For Shippensburg University volleyball player Annie Goerl, however, four years were not necessary for her to solidify her place among SU’s all-time greats.

In her final two seasons, Goerl and the Raiders enjoyed a ton of success that included SU winning its first ever Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championship in 2015, while earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The Raiders won 56 games over those final two seasons, making two NCAA Tournament appearances.

“It was exciting and memorable, to say the least,” Goerl said of the 2015 season.

“That season definitely had its ups and downs, but we managed to pull it all together when the time was right. Being the first team to ever accomplish that means that we left our mark at Ship and that’s rewarding.”

In Goerl’s senior year, she became the sixth player in SU volleyball history to register 1,000 digs and 1,000 kills in her career.

“The honor of being in the 1,000/1,000 club is amazing,” Goerl said. “I definitely could not have done it without my teammates and my coaching staff. The ability to be an all-around player at Ship was an awesome experience and I’m thankful for the success it brought me. My teammates encouraged me and never doubted that I was able to do it, so I’m thankful for them to help me achieve it.”

Goerl’s career began at Lower Dauphin High School where she earned three varsity letters for the Falcons. Goerl played at the club level and was extremely successful on and off the court in high school, earning 601 kills in high school, to go along with three All-Mid-Penn First Team selections. Goerl instantly fell in love with the game.

“What made me love the game was the pace of it all. Every ball has a point, which makes the game seem more intriguing,” Goerl said. “I really just enjoyed playing a sport that was different than the sports I played all my life. It was something new and something I picked up pretty easily.”

For Goerl, choosing SU came down to the strength of SU’s volleyball program, along with the academic opportunities she believed SU could provide her.

“The team was so welcoming on my visit. It was an inexpensive school with great academic opportunities, and the program was definitely already established,” Goerl said.

“[SU coach Leanne] Piscotty and [assistant coach Abby] Leonard were so welcoming and encouraging that I would succeed if I came to Ship.”

The decision proved to be mutually beneficial, as Goerl and the Raiders won 104 games over the course of four years, including the 2015 conference championship.

“The success of the team I was on for the last four years was exhilarating. I’m so proud of each teammate past and present for all their hard work and dedication,” Goerl said. “Most teams in the PSAC have skilled players but I think it’s our hard work and determination that truly made us successful all four years I was there, in the years past and the years to come. The program is built on hard work and that is what, I believe, makes it so successful.”

This season, the Raiders fought hard in the NCAA Tournament, but ultimately fell to rival Edinboro University in five sets in the Atlantic Region Quarterfinal. The match was the final match of Goerl’s SU career.

“I’m really proud of the team I am leaving behind. This year we were neither old or young,” Goerl said. “I think that even with the age gaps we had, we truly worked as a team to accomplish our goals.

“I’m thankful for that specific team because they gave me the best senior year I could have asked for.”

Despite losing her final match, Goerl looks back on her career, proud of her final season, in which the Raiders went 26–8.

“The last game of the year, along with a few other games, didn’t quite go our way and that was difficult,” Goerl said. “However, this team can bounce back from anything and I’m very proud of them for that.

“We always played our hearts out and worked as a unit. I’m incredibly sad to be leaving them behind, however, I’m sure they will accomplish great things with their remaining seasons.”

Goerl registered a season-high 21 kills and 11 digs in her final game and was recognized for her efforts, being named to the Atlantic Region All-Tournament team.

Goerl finished her career with 1,056 kills and 1,281 digs, both among the top of the SU record books.

Goerl said she will miss her teammates and lifelong friends she made playing volleyball at SU the most.

“My teammates became some of my lifelong friends and I wouldn’t trade that for anything in the world,” Goerl said. “What I will miss about the sport is the adrenaline you have during the match and practices. The want to win every point and the determination to do so. I will miss playing volleyball that’s for sure.”

Despite her volleyball career coming to an end, Goerl has her eyes set to the future, where she hopes to become an optometrist.

Goerl was accepted to Salus University in Philadelphia, where she will study optometry after graduating this spring.

With her playing career in the books, Goerl will look to use the lessons she learned on the court and in the classroom to work toward a successful career.

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