UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State field hockey head coach Lisa Bervinchak Love and the Nittany Lion coaching staff welcomed six new Nittany Loins to the family this week as National Signing Day unfolded. Bervinchak Love, associate head coach Laura Gebhart and assistant coaches Ayla Halus-Johnson and Amanda Dinunzio received National Letters of Intent from six outstanding young players who will don the Blue and White in 2024.
Aby Deverka / Goalkeeper / Houston, Tex.
High School: The Kinkaid School / Club Team: Texas Pride Club
Deverka, who will enroll at Penn State for the Spring '24 semester, was a member of the U18 Women's National Team and the U16 Junior National Team. She was an NFHCA high school second team All-American and All-Midwest Team honoree. Deverka was a MAX Field Hockey first team All-Region pick. She is the daughter of Stephanie and Mark Deverka (a Penn State alum).
Kerry O'Donnell / Midfield / Lansdale, Pa.
High School: Springside Chestnut Hill / Club Team: WC Eagles
O'Donnell is the twin sister of fellow signee Riley and a younger sister of Penn State field hockey alumna Brianna O'Donnell (Penn State, '22). She is a 2022 MAX Field Hockey Class of 2024 Top 50 Player, was selected to the U19 Nexus Championship and the U19 Stars & Stripes Game. O'Donnell was a second team All-State selection in 2021 and second team All-League. She is the daughter of Kim and Ken O'Donnell.
Riley O'Donnell / Midfield / Lansdale, Pa.
High School: Springside Chestnut Hill / Club Team: WC Eagles
O'Donnell is the twin sister of fellow signee Kerry and a younger sister of Penn State field hockey alumna Brianna O'Donnell (Penn State, '22). Riley was also a 2022 MAX Field Hockey Class of 2024 Top 50 Player and was selected to compete in the U19 Nexus Championship. O'Donnell was a second team All-State honoree in 2021 and was first team All-League. She is the daughter of Kim and Ken O'Donnell.
Carly Seal / Midfield / Mount Holly, N.J.
High School: Rancocas Valley Regional / Club: Uprise
Seal, who is still competing in her 2023 season, was a 2022 first team All-Group and third team All-State player for Rancocas Valley. She was both a MAX Field Hockey and NFHCA first team All-Region selection as well. Seal, her team's leading scorer in 2023, was also selected to the NFHCA National High School Academic Team. She is the daughter of Jean Marie (Penn State alumna) and Ken Seal.
Morgan Snyder / Back / Fleetwood, Pa.
High School: Oley Valley / Club: Caliber
Snyder was recently selected as the Berks County Player of the Year after scoring 53 points off 20 goals and 13 assists this season. First team All-County this year, she was a first team selection as a junior and an All-Division 3 selection as a sophomore and freshman. Oley Valley has advanced to this year's 1A state championship game as well. Snyder had nearly 100 career points as a player at Oley Valley. She is the daughter of Mindi and Kerry Snyder.
Katelyn Strawser / Forward / Hummelstown, Pa.
High School: Lower Dauphin HS / Club: PA Revolution
Strawser was an All-State selection during her playing days at Lower Dauphin High School and recently scored her 200th career point. She was a four-year starter in high school and helped lead LDHS to district titles as well as the Pennsylvania state finals twice, winning last year along with current Lion Emmy McCully, and helped lead LDHS to the state semifinals this year. Strawser was an All-Mid Penn All-Star as well. She is the daughter of Paula and Harry Strawser.
"We're excited to welcome this talented class to the Penn State Field Hockey family," said head coach Lisa Bervinchak Love. "They're a competitive, hard-working group of student-athletes who will continue to raise the bar for what it means to wear the Blue and White."
Fans are encouraged to follow the Nittany Lion field hockey team online at www.GoPSUsports.com (click teams, click field hockey), on X/Twitter @pennstateFH and on facebook at www.facebook.com/pennstatefieldhockey.