Collegiate sports are a dream for many high school athletes, and on Thursday, January 15th, Tyrone senior volleyball standout Rylan Crowell made that dream a reality, officially signing to continue her academic and athletic career at Saint Francis University.
Crowell is extremely excited to join such a competitive team.
“It’s kind of a full circle moment,” said Crowell, “I can remember talking to my mom and dad about Saint Francis when I was a freshman, and I’m really excited to meet new people and have new experiences. I love both programs athletically and academically, which really made me fall in love with the school.”
Following this season, Saint Francis will switch from the Division I Northeast Conference (NEC), to the Division III Presidents’ Conference. During the 2025 season, Saint Francis Women’s Volleyball had an overall record of 20-9, and was 14-2 in conference.
While only time will tell how St. Francis will do in their new conference, their Division I experience and facilities should help them to become a power in the President’s Conference.
Achieving this goal has been years in the making for Crowell.
Crowell was first introduced to volleyball in fifth grade when Mike Kraft, the head varsity volleyball coach at the time, held clinics to help gain interest in the program. She fell in love with everything about the sport, like the energy, the competitive nature, and the people.“It has been really exciting to watch her growth in the sport year after year,” said her mother, Jesson Crowell, “it’s always rewarding to see time and dedication turn into results.”
Throughout her years playing for Tyrone, she has made some incredible accomplishments.
During Crowell’s sophomore year, she was named to the 2023 Mirror all-star second team. In her junior year, she earned second-team LHAC all-conference honors. In her senior season, she was named a 2025 Mirror first-team all-star, and was named to the second team Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association all-state team.
She also hit a major milestone in her senior season when she hit her 500th kill.
Crowell is one of only four Tyrone players to reach that goal, but it hasn’t always been easy.
While she has reached some incredible heights, she has also overcome huge challenges. She has fought through tears, injuries, and stress all to get to this point. Her friends and family couldn’t be prouder.
“I am so proud of her, and I know she will do amazing things at Saint Francis,” said fellow senior teammate Abby Anthony.
Volleyball has helped forge many lifelong friendships for Crowell, ones that she will be able to keep with her forever.
Volleyball has become such a big part of Crowell’s life, and she is excited for this new chapter. She plans to major in nursing at Saint Francis.
After all the hours spent in the practice gym, studying film, and at preseason workouts, Crowell has finally made the decision to continue her love for the sport in college.
“Getting to watch her grow not only as an athlete but as a person has been so fun to be a part of,” said coach Alesha Weaver, “She has put so much effort in and out of the gym and has been such a great role model for the underclassmen to look up to. I wish her all the best.”
