Ava Livingood, a senior at Uniontown Area High School, announced her commitment to play volleyball at Penn State Behrend. The decision caps a two‑year journey that began in her sophomore year, when she first fell in love with the sport.
Recruiting process and campus visit
Livingood communicated with Behrend head coach Jared Marks throughout the recruiting process. After a campus visit to the Erie location, she said the experience made her choice easy. “Coach Jared Marks was very informative and helpful throughout the whole process,” Livingood said. “As soon as I visited the campus and met the girls, I knew that it was where I wanted to spend the next four years of my career.”
Why Behrend appealed
The student highlighted several factors that swayed her decision. She praised the campus aesthetics, the local cuisine, and the convenient proximity to the bayfront. “The campus is absolutely beautiful,” she noted. “It has room for you to study outside, drive 10 minutes for some seafood and the bayfront is 15 minutes away.”
Goals on and off the court
Livingood understands the challenge of competing at the collegiate level and is committed to working “day‑in‑and‑day‑out” to become the best player she can be. She emphasized a focus on becoming a smarter, more well‑rounded athlete, saying, “My goal before attending Behrend is to learn the game even more and become stronger through trips to the gym. Coach Marks will train me to be the best athlete possible, and that’s why I chose Behrend.”
Beyond athletics, Livingood plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in biology with the intention of becoming a physician’s assistant. She sees the academic environment at Behrend as a solid foundation for that career path.
Family support and travel
Livingood’s family has been a steady source of encouragement. Although the school is a three‑hour drive up Interstate 79, she said distance is not a concern. “My family and I have always traveled for spots, so the distance is not a concern,” she explained. “We also love the area, so I am sure that my family will be making their way up every weekend. My family is super supportive and excited for this new chapter of my life, and Behrend satisfied all of my mom’s requirements.”
Looking ahead
Livingood expressed gratitude to the coaches and family members who guided her through the recruiting process. “I would not be where I am in my life without the guidance of my coaches and family,” she said. As she prepares to head to Erie, she looks forward to contributing to Behrend’s volleyball program while advancing her academic ambitions.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
