Jennifer Robinson, one of five senior starters on the Knoch High School varsity girls basketball team last season, is continuing her academic and basketball careers at Allegheny College.

The 5-foot-11 post player averaged 8.6 points and 9.9 rebounds for the Knights her senior year. Knoch posted a 14-10 record and reached the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs for the second consecutive year.

Robinson graduated among the top 20 in her class Friday night. She carried a 3.99 grade point average in high school and plans to major in biology.

"They have a new facility at Allegheny for the biology field and that's why I'm going there," Robinson said. "The basketball team plays a fast-paced game and I like that style.

"I don't like sitting back and choosing an offense. The style of getting the ball and going with it suits me."

Allegheny finished 18-8 last season and plays in the North Coast Athletic Conference. Coach Jennifer Reimer has a 122-83 career record in college, including 56-18 in NCAC play.

The Gators had five players who averaged between 7.5 and 9.1 points per game last season. They had 10 players average more than 11 minutes per game.

"They lost two senior post players who took up a lot of minutes for them," Robinson said. "I don't expect to start right away, but I do hope to earn some playing time right away."

Robinson had 50 blocked shots her senior year and blocked more than 100 shots in her high school career. She shot 66 percent from the foul line, 40 percent from the field this past season.

"She's a versatile player for a big girl," Knoch coach Curt Vasas said. "We had Jen handling the ball quite a bit in our offense.

"Any high school player has to adjust to the physical play in college. Jen will have to get stronger and a little quicker, but they'll put her on an individual program to accomplish those things."

"We're excited to have Jennifer as part of our program," Reimer stated in a press release. "She will bring a strong, fundamental presence in the post to our lineup."

Robinson was captain of the Knoch volleyball team last fall, leading a squad that graduated six seniors the year before to the second round of the WPIAL playoffs.

Off the court, she earned the Jim Painter scholarship and was in the Future Business Leaders of America and Future Farmers of America.

Three of Robinson's high school teammates are moving on to college ball as well. Nicole Reiser is headed to Pitt-Greensburg while Liz Burgard and Maria Frey plan to play at Butler County Community College.

"We've been playing basketball together since third grade," Robinson said. "If I missed a rebound, I always knew they'd come up with it.

"We knew each other well on the court. Going to a college team, I feel like I'm starting all over again, but I'm excited about it."

Robinson is the daughter of Glenn and Shirley Robinson of Cabot.