February 05, 2025
Heart of the Champions
Captain Abbey Telesz pushes her team to keep going following two lost sets against the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in the Division III women's volleyball national championship on Dec. 7, 2024, in Salem, Virginia.
Credit: Kyra BirminghamA championship team cannot be measured by statistics alone. A successful drive to the top takes heart. For the Juniata College Eagles volleyball team, that heart is Abbey Telesz.
Telesz is a captain who rarely plays a set, has no individual statistics to speak of, and no highlight reel. But Telesz is the team’s three-time consecutive captain. She lead the Eagles to two consecutive national championship titles in 2022 and 2023 and lead them through the longest winning streak in Division III volleyball history. In 2024, the team pushed for a three-peat.
“It’s about being willing to sacrifice yourself. As the captain you have to be there for the better of the team, doing whatever that is.”
Abbey Telesz cheers on her teammates from the sidelines during the Juniata College women's volleyball team's regional quarterfinal against Penn State Altoona on Nov. 21, 2024, in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania.
Credit: Kyra Birmingham
Abbey Telesz encourages her teammates during the second set of the Juniata College women's volleyball regional quarterfinal matchup against Penn State Altoona on Nov. 21, 2024, in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania.
Abbey Telesz curls her hair in preparation for her team's women's volleyball regional quarterfinal.
Credit: Kyra Birmingham
The Juniata College women's volleyball team stands for the national anthem leading up to their match against Drew on Nov. 1, 2024, in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania.
Credit: Kyra Birmingham
Abbey Telesz rallies her teammates in a pregame huddle before the Juniata College women's volleyball team's match against Drew on Nov. 1, 2024 in Huntingdon, Pennsylavnia.
Credit: Kyra Birmingham
In the small town of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, the Juniata College student section, known as “The Nest,” routinely packs the Kennedy Sports Center, making women’s volleyball one of the most attended sports at the school.
Credit: Kyra Birmingham
Former professor and lifelong Juniata College volleyball fan Prudence Ingerman knits in her designated seat in the stands during every home match. Ingerman often lays out her yarn to save seats for her friends and former co-workers.
Credit: Kyra Birmingham
Abbey Telesz high fives teammate and best friend Mackenzie Coley during the Juniata College women's volleyball regional quarterfinal match against Penn State Altoona on Nov. 21, 2024, in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania.
Credit: Kyra Birmingham
The Juniata College women's volleyball bench celebrates an impressive score during the third set of the Division III national championship against the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on Dec. 7, 2024, in Salem, Virginia.
Credit: Kyra Birmingham
Kiona Sky Rousset-Hernandez celebrates after rolling in streamers following the Juniata College women's volleyball national championship match on Dec. 7, 2024, in Salem, Virginia.
Credit: Kyra Birmingham
Seniors Abbey Telesz and Mackenzie Coley hug following their third national championship as members of the Juniata College women's volleyball team on Dec. 7, 2024, in Salem, Virginia.