CRANBERRY TWP — California (Pa.) University's women's volleyball team feels lucky to have landed Meghan Franz.

The feeling is mutual.

Franz, a 5-feet-11 senior middle hitter at Seneca Valley and resident of Cranberry Township, recently signed a letter of intent to attend the school on an athletic scholarship.

"I was also looking at Edinboro, Temple, West Virginia and (Indiana, Pa.), but Cal just seemed to be a perfect fit for me.

"It's a Division II school, but they have the record and talent of a D-I program," she added.

The Vulcans have won two straight Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference titles and reached the national quarterfinals in both seasons.

The squad went 40-2 last fall, the only Division II program in the country to reach 40 victories.

Franz is one of five recruits who will be joining California this fall.

"I'm picky about middle hitters, they're very hard to recruit," said Vulcans' coach Stephanie Burner. "But Meghan was on our radar last fall and we were very impressed with her. She will come in as a true middle hitter.

"With her athletic ability, I believe she will adjust well to the college game," Burner added.

Cal will be returning All-American middle hitter Ludmila Amaral next fall, but Franz is hoping for significant playing time as a freshman.

"If I play well, I could take the second middle hitter spot," she said.

Seneca Valley coach Karen Martini has seen Franz's ability over the last three seasons.

"Her jumping ability is outstanding," Martini said. "She knows the game so well and is very dedicated to anything she does."

Martini brought Franz up to the Raiders' varsity squad during the latter's sophomore season as an outside hitter.

"I saw the potential she had and sometimes with a player like that, you just have to let them go out there and play and see what they can do," Martini said.

Franz then played middle hitter her junior and senior campaigns.

The jump from high school volleyball to the college game is not as wide as it may seem when a player also has Junior Olympic experience.

Such is the case with Franz, who plays for Pittsburgh 3 Rivers, which will be competing at nationals in Miami this summer.

Last summer, Franz helped the team place fifth in the nation.

"Junior Olympics makes all the difference," said Franz. "The high school season is so short, Juniors is where you can really break down your skills and make big improvements as a player."

Franz will be majoring in biology and secondary education, with the hopes of becoming a teacher following her college days.

"I would also love to coach volleyball one day," she added.

As for Franz's playing career, Burner issues a challenge to every one of her players.

"I don't guarantee a position to anyone," said the second-year coach. "We don't have a set starting lineup. Spots are earned every day in practice."