BUTLER TWP — Becky Smith and Stephanie Mock are leaving the Butler varsity girls volleyball program with a couple of firsts.

Smith, a 6-foot-2 middle hitter, became the first player in the 32-year history of the program to be named first team all-state by the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association.

She will continue her academic and volleyball career at Mercyhurst College.

Mock, a 5-foot-4 libero (defensive specialist) is headed to West Virginia University as the first Butler girls volleyball player to receive a Division I scholarship.

"These girls were cornerstones of our program and they'll do well where they're going," Butler coach Meghan Lucas said. "They've put the time, effort and commitment into volleyball and that's why they're in this position."

Smith and Mock also play for the Pittsburgh 3-Rivers AAU volleyball team that is headed to the national tournament in Florida this summer.

Smith considered Gannon and Lock Haven before deciding on Mercyhurst, which was 21-15 last season and is graduating only two seniors.

At 6-2, Smith will be the tallest player on the Mercyhurst roster. Lauren Kubinski, a 6-foot-0 outside hitter, is one of the two departing players.

"Becky will likely have an immediate impact there," Lucas said. "The PSAC is a strong volleyball league and she'll be playing a lot of her games not far from here."

Smith led the Tornado in kills and blocks. She was a four-time all-section player in high school, earning first-team recognition as a junior and senior.

"I got a few looks from some smaller Division I programs, like St. Francis (Pa.), but I didn't want to go too far away," Smith said. "I'm joining a program that I know can win.

"I committed to volleyball after playing basketball through ninth grade. With Junior Olympic play and the high school team, I spent a lot of time working on my game."

Smith had 14 kills and 11 blocks in a five-game playoff loss to North Allegheny that ended the Tornado's season at 11-5 last fall.

Mock was looking at Indiana (Pa.), Robert Morris and Edinboro before catching West Virginia's eye at a Senior Showcase last spring.

"It surprised me when I heard from them," Mock said. "I was hesitant to go there at first. The school is so big and I wasn't sure I was good enough."

"I told her to go for it," Lucas said. "WVU wanted her and it's Division I. I know she can play there."

The Mountaineers were 7-21 a year ago, 16-14 in 2007. They were only 3-28 in the Big East three years ago.

WVU is graduating only two seniors from the team. The Mountaineers have one returning libero in junior Bonnie West from California.

Players from nine states — including California, Colorado, North Carolina, Florida, Wiscon and Missouri — comprise WVU's roster.

"That junior libero is ahead of me, but there's no other experienced player there at that position,"Mock said. "They told me I'll probably see some playing time right away.

"I'm excited about the chance to play at such a high level. If I can be a role model for some of the younger girls in the (Butler) program, that's all the better."

Mock plans to major in sports management.

Lucas has coached Butler's girls volleyball team for six years and is averaging more than one player moving on to college in the sport each year.