ERIE — Meredith Snyder was surrounded by volleyball players every bit as good as her.

As a freshman coming to the Penn State Behrend women's volleyball program from small A-C Valley last year, Snyder was just hoping to get some playing time.

She ended up getting much more.

With a hole at middle hitter that he needed to fill, Lions' coach Phil Pisano saw something in Snyder.

“As a freshman, I didn't think I'd get much playing time,” Snyder said. “But I was in the mix with a lot of players to fill that position. I think he had a lot of players in mind, but he noticed me as someone who could fill that position full-time. It was exciting.”

Snyder, who was a setter with the Falcons, made a smooth transition to hitter last season, leading the Lions in blocks at 83 and was second on the team in kills with 236 to help Behrend to the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference championship.

Snyder was also recognized as the AMCC Newcomer of the Year.

“I was really surprised I was even nominated for it,” Snyder said.

The hardest part for Snyder in adjusting to her new position was not being in absolute control.

As a setter, she directed the action. As a middle hitter, she had to surrender that control.

“It was tough at first because I was so used to being in the center of everything,” Snyder said.

Now as a sophomore, Snyder is once again turning in a solid season for the Lions and is more comfortable with her role.

She's second again in kills with 166 and leads the team with 46 blocks for Behrend (14-5).

“I definitely feel like I've improved a lot,” Snyder said. “When I first got here, I couldn't get into quick sets. Now I can. I feel like I have a better understanding of the position now.”

Snyder, who said she always wanted to play volleyball in college, enjoyed success at the high school level with A-C Valley.

Twice she made the all-state team as a setter with the Falcons.

She was happy to have the same kind of success in college.

“It was really exciting for me to be a part of a championship team,” she said. “That's really all I could ask for as a freshman coming in to a new team and getting to play as much as I did.”

At A-C Valley, Snyder was a multi-sport star.

As well as excelling at volleyball, Snyder was an accomplished high jumper for the Falcons' track and field team.

She was also a cheerleader and played basketball.

Snyder said those skills translated to the volleyball court.

“The high jumping really helped my blocking ability,” she said.

Snyder, though, said she believes there is more she and her team need to improve.

“I'm pretty happy with how we are playing, but like with any team, sometimes we fall short of playing the way we know we can play,” Snyder said. “I feel like there are things I can do better.”