By Natalie Hanna · Sports Editor
Senior hitter Sarah Hart has significantly stood out on the volleyball court in both skill and leadership since joining the Grove City College women’s team in 2025.
A junior transfer from Messiah University, she immediately impacted the team during her first year at Grove City.
“Sarah came to our program at a critical time as one of two transfers — the other was Lilly Wojtala — both brought valuable game experience,” coach Leo Sayles said. “Sarah brought with her two years as a starter for another good program.”
Hart finished her freshman season at Messiah second on the team in kills (258) and earned All-Region Rookie of the Year in addition to receiving the league’s Rookie of the Year.
She brought more of the same in the Falcons’ 2024-2025 season, leading the team with 293 kills.
It’s safe to say Hart’s transfer to Grove City gave the Wolverines an asset. After playing in all 29 matches and leading the team with 388 kills last season here at the college, she earned All-PAC First Team honors in addition to being a member of the PAC title team. The beginning of her Grove City career was successful, to say the least.
“Her ability to take most sets and find a way to challenge another team without generating a lot of errors is a huge asset to us, and positively affected our overall hitting efficiency, and more importantly gave us a valuable offensive weapon when we are forced out of our normal playing system,” Sayles said.
Her second and last season with the Wolverines has also proven to be prosperous. She currently leads the team with 272 kills, bringing her Grove City career total to 660 and collegiate career total to 1,211 kills.
Hart’s excellent performance over her collegiate career has come from many years of play. She began playing volleyball in sixth grade, making this season her eleventh. After trying out most sports throughout her childhood, she grew a passion for volleyball and has loved the sport ever since.
Not only has her long time playing the sport developed her technical skills, but it has also impacted her mentally and spiritually.
“It has been a great way to escape the stress of school and life and just have fun,” Hart said. “It has also taught me the importance of having support around you because in volleyball you can’t do anything without your teammates, so it forces you to rely on them.
“Also, playing for a Christian club in high school and for two Christian colleges has strengthened my faith immensely. My coaches have helped me realize how playing can glorify God, which has helped me grow a lot spiritually.”
As her talent has played a large role on the court, Hart’s attitude has affected the team.
“Sarah leads by example. She is a quiet personality and yet has earned the respect of her teammates through her consistently focused, intentional effort in practice or games,” Sayles said. “Her humility is a hidden strength — she could have easily sought to draw attention to herself with her play, but from the moment she arrived she has quietly deflected any honors and held up her teammates as part of the reason for her own personal success.”
Hart’s humility is also evident in how she credits her coaches with her performance.
“The coaching staff has consistently helped me improve through helping me with one little aspect of my game at a time,” Hart said. “I have already received a lot of coaching before I came here, so it has been great having them help me continue to get a little better each day since the little details can make the difference in a game.”
As her senior season ends, Hart reflected on how much she has loved being a member of the Wolverines; her favorite part is the teammates she has played with and grown close to for two seasons.
“There is no one else I would rather get to play with every day, and they always make it so fun, but while still staying focused on playing their best,” she said.
