The Grace College Athletic Department is excited about the addition of former graduate Andria Harshman (2002) as the new Head Volleyball Coach and Assistant Athletic Director. Harshman comes to Grace College from the University of Notre Dame, where she was the volunteer assistant coach this past season.

During her time at Grace, Andria was a member of both the volleyball and track team. Through her four years as a player, the volleyball team won three MCC tournaments and three regular season championships. In 2001-2002 season, the team was named NAIA Region VIII Champions and participated in the NAIA finals at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Harshman also excelled on the track team and broke the school record in the hammer throw. She placed fourth at NCCAA Nationals in the hammer throw while placing third in the javelin. In 2002 Andria was named Female Athlete of the Year.

After graduation, Andria was named the head volleyball coach at Blackhawk Christian High School in Fort Wayne. She coached at Blackhawk from 2002-2006 while compiling a 71-40 record and winning three sectional titles.

Harshman's coaching journey would continue as she moved to Orlando, FL where she took on the Lyman High School Greyhounds head coaching position. During her first and only season the Greyhounds picked up their first victory at a tournament in Gainesville against some of the top ranked teams in the state. After one year at Lyman, the volunteer assistant coaching position opened up at Notre Dame with head coach Debbie Brown.

While at Notre Dame, Harshman helped the volleyball program to a record of 15-13, finishing in the top of the Big East in tournament play. The highlight of the season was the final regular season game against conference leader Louisville, where the Irish defeated the Cardinals 3-1 to go into the Big East Tournament.

"I am really excited for Grace College and for Andria Harshman," said Notre Dame Head coach Debbie Brown. "I believe Andria is absolutely the best person for Grace and the Notre Dame Volleyball program was blessed to have her as a coach this past season. She brought a tremendous enthusiasm and energy to the gym on a daily basis and has a passion for the sport of volleyball."

Harshman takes over a Grace Volleyball program that has won 39-percent of their games over the past five seasons and has compiled only 12 MCC wins during that time span.

"We are very blessed to have Andria lead our Volleyball program," said Athletic Director Chad Briscoe. "She brings Division I experience, a history of success and a desire to change lives for Christ. We look forward to her taking our program to the next level."

Grace returns five upperclassmen from a team that finished 12-14 in 2007. The Lancers open the 2008 season at home on August 22 & 23 in the Ramada Tournament.

"I look forward to the challenge of leading my alma mater back to the top of the MCC and restoring the tradition that Grace once had," said Harshman.

Grace College is a member of the NAIA , NCCAA and Mid-Central College Conference.