CALIFORNIA — Meghan Franz didn’t know what to expect heading into her junior season on the California (Pa.) University women’s volleyball team.

The Seneca Valley graduate was facing life with a new coaching staff and all the uncertainty that goes with it.

As Franz said, “it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.”

Under first-year head volleyball coach Peter Letourneau and his wife and assistant coach Barbara Letourneau, Franz turned in a career year, leading the Vulcans with 370 kills, 139 blocks and a .328 kill percentage.

Franz, a 5-foot-11 middle hitter, helped Cal reach the third round of the NCAA Division II tournament and a 33-5 overall record.

“I think the one thing I can say for the new coach is he did a lot for the confidence of the players,” Franz said. “He really did a lot for my confidence.”

That showed on the court, where Franz was dominant at the net.

Those outside of Cal also noticed.

Franz was named to the All-Atlantic Region team — the second straight season she earned that honor. She also was named to the third-team Academic All-American squad.

While pleased about the individual accolades, Franz wants much more.

“My goal when I step into the gym is to get better,” she said. “Getting individual honors is not my ultimate goal. To be a better player and to get to a national championship as a team is what I want.”

Winning a title and becoming a better player are two reasons why Franz opted to go to Cal to begin with after a stellar career at Seneca Valley.

Franz said the recruiting process was a daunting one, but ultimately Cal offered her everything she was looking for in a school.

Her freshman season was a challenging one.

“I would be lying if I said it was easy,” Franz said. “The speed was the big thing I had to get used to. All these players are good. Everyone was the best player on their team. My freshman year, my big goal was to just get playing time.”

Franz ended up playing in 41 matches that season, setting the stage for the last two seasons where she has developed into one of the best hitters on her team and in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.

“Nothing is guaranteed,” Franz said. “That’s how I looked at it. You have to earn everything.”

An education major, Franz still keeps in steady contact with her former volleyball coach at Seneca Valley, Karen Martini.

Franz hopes to coach the sport someday and already has reached out to the current players on the Raiders’ roster, offering help to them in making their college decision.

“I know how stressful it can be,” Franz said.

Seneca Valley also prepared Franz for the rigors of Division II volleyball, she said.

“Playing in a competitive section, I was used to playing against good teams in long matches,” Franz said. “I had really good coaches at Seneca Valley. They really prepared me.”

Franz, though, nearly chose another path.

She played both volleyball and soccer in junior high. But once she hit high school, she had to make a decision since the two sports were both played in the fall.

“I was a soccer girl. I remember thinking back then it was the hardest decision of my life,” Franz said. “I was thinking, ‘What am I going to do?’

“It was really an easy decision, though,” Franz said. “I have more fun playing volleyball. I look forward to going to the gym and working hard. I look forward to seeing my teammates.”

Franz is already looking forward to her senior season at Cal coming off a successful season both individually and as a team.

“It only makes us want to work even harder,” Franz said. “I have one more year to get back to nationals.”