WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL

Head Coach Phil Peterman

Altoona native and Saint Francis University alumnus Phil Peterman was named the head coach of the women's volleyball program on November 13, 2007. The 28-year-old Peterman replaces interim bench boss Tick Hedrick-Sheaffer and becomes the third head coach in the program's 10-year history as a member of the NCAA.

"We are delighted to have Phil join our coaching staff," said Ingold. "Having played and coached at various levels, he has a firsthand knowledge of what it takes to be successful. As an educator, Phil will positively impact our student-athletes in a number of ways both on and off the court."

A three year starter on the Altoona High School boys volleyball team from 1995-1997, Peterman was recruited by Division I Saint Francis to continue his playing career in Loretto. He was a member of the Red Flash 2001 Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) Championship squad and graduated that same year with a degree in Elementary and Special Education. This past May, Peterman finished his Masters Degree in Education from SFU.

Upon completion of his undergraduate degree in May 2001, Peterman was hired by the Altoona Area School District as a special education teacher. He currently serves in that capacity at Keith Junior High School and has worked with autistic, Life Skills, and academically challenged students. Peterman volunteered with Special Olympics during his time at Saint Francis.

Peterman just completed his eighth season as an assistant coach on the Altoona High School boys volleyball staff. He also remains active with the Keystone State Games, serving as a head coach and assistant coach to the 16-and-under and 18-and-under Regional teams. Peterman led his 2002 and 2005 18-and-under squads to Bronze Medals before taking the 2006 16-and-under team to a Silver Medal finish.

Peterman inherits a Penn State Altoona program that has appeared in three consecutive Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference championship matches. The Lions captured their first AMCC title in program history in 2006.

ASSISTANT COACH HEATHER ECKELS

Altoona native Heather Eckels enters her first season as an assistant coach on the Lion volleyball staff. She began her collegiate career at Penn State Altoona where she played volleyball for two seasons. The 2001 Indiana University of Pennsylvania graduate will also be assisting Lion head softball coach Nikki Runzo this spring. Eckels, who serves as a part-time instructor at Penn State Altoona, also holds a master’s degree from I.U.P.