JEFFERSON TWP — Hannah Rowe walked around the University at Albany campus.

She met some of the members of the volleyball team.

She talked to the coaching staff and a few of the schools' faculty members.

When the 6-foot-1 outside hitter on the Knoch volleyball team was finished, she had one thought.

“This is going to be my home,” she said.

It was like an epiphany for Rowe, who had another college visit planned for later in the summer and had a fairly long list of colleges she was still considering.

The plan was to wait to make a decision at the end of the summer.

That plan went out the window after her visit to Albany.

So Rowe decided, “Why wait?” and committed Friday — less than 24 hours after her visit — to continue her academic and volleyball career at Albany.

“It's a huge weight off my shoulders,” Rowe said. “I was talking to a number of schools, some were serious, but once I visited Albany, I knew this was where I wanted to go. Everyone I talked to was super welcoming and very supportive. They want you to be a success on and off the court. It definitely checked all the boxes.”

Rowe, who will be a senior at Knoch in the fall, was a very attractive recruit.

Rowe is a two-time all-state selection in Class AAA and shared the Butler Eagle Girls Volleyball Player of the Year award this past season with teammate Kennedy Christy.

An all-around star, Rowe had 290 kills, 358 digs and 57 blocks as a junior.

As a sophomore, she helped the Knights to the program's first WPIAL and PIAA titles and an undefeated season.

A slew of schools were interested in her services, including Ivy League's Dartmouth College.

“I've definitely been working hard in the classroom,” said Rowe, who plans on majoring in biomedical engineering and pharmaceutical engineering. “That was one of the biggest things for me, to keep my grades up. I don't take that lightly.”

During her sophomore year, Rowe made the difficult decision to give up basketball and track and field and focus solely on volleyball.

It was a move aimed to hone her raw and burgeoning skills on the volleyball court.

Rowe was a standout in both sports. As a freshman, she won the WPIAL title in the high jump and was a starting forward for the Knights' basketball team.

“I gave up two other sports that I was passionate about because I knew volleyball was what I wanted to do in college,” Rowe said. “I figured it was better to try to master one than be good at three.”

Good has never been good enough for Rowe.

She works tirelessly on her game and, thanks to some help from Tim Toy and the We Serve First Foundation, Rowe was able to join the Revolution Volleyball Club.

Toy and his wife, Ellen, founded We Serve First four years ago. It's aim was to give youth and high school players monetary support to play club volleyball to help them receive more exposure.

It certainly worked for Rowe.

“Tim is one of the most genuine, giving people I have ever met,” Rowe said.

Revolution has helped Rowe's game incalculably, she said.

Scary thought for Knoch opponents this fall: Rowe may be even better.

A lot better.

“It's insane to think of how far I've come,” Rowe said. “I've improved so much in so many aspects of the game.”

Rowe said her biggest strides have come in the intangibles.

“My volleyball IQ has improved so much. It's so much better,” Rowe said. “(Revolution) holds you to a high standard. There's no taking it easy. We're constantly getting after it.”

Rowe and Revolution will get after it beginning this weekend in Orlando at the AAU Junior Nationals.

It's another chance for Rowe to play against the nation's best.

“Not to be boastful, but I'm proud of myself,” Rowe said. “I worked really hard. Training and lifting and all the other things I did. It plays a big part. I think if I didn't do those things, I wouldn't be where I am today.”