Dr. Abby Leonard, an NCAA Division III national champion with Juniata, is in her 21st season as an assistant coach of the SU volleyball team in 2026.
With the Raiders, Leonard has been an invaluable skills instructor and an integral support member alongside head coach Leanne Piscotty – directing some of the most talented Raider volleyball teams in school history.
Leonard has been a part of more than 400 victories with SU volleyball, and the Raiders have won 57 percent of their matches (420-239) with her on staff. She has also coached 29 different All-PSAC athletes during her tenure.
Leonard has helped guide the Raiders to a 36-5 conference record over the last three seasons (2023-25), reaching as high as second in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region rankings during the 2025 campaign. The Raiders have qualified for three PSAC Tournament berths during that stretch -- reaching the semifinals in 2023.
Contributing to the Raiders' recent success, among others, is three-time All-PSAC First Team and All-Region selection Kearstin Davis and 2024 and 2025 PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Year Shay Kolivoski. Davis and Kolivoski were both named AVCA All-America Honorable Mention in 2025.
From 2012-19, Shippensburg posted a 203-83 combined record. This stretch of eight straight winning seasons equates to a .709 winning percentage and includes seven NCAA Tournament appearances and the 2015 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championship.
Leonard’s impeccable knowledge and appreciation for the game stems from her time at Juniata College, where she was a standout player and also served as a student assistant for the men’s team.
In Leonard’s four seasons as a collegiate athlete, Juniata posted a record of 145-13 and appeared in the Division III national championship game twice – winning the title in her junior year. On the court, she led the team in service aces and ranked second in digs during her senior season.
Off the court, she earned Dean’s List recognition for three consecutive years and was named to the MASCAC Academic Honor Roll.
As a men’s assistant coach at Juniata, she helped the team to the Molten Division III National Championship and a berth in the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association semifinals. Leonard has also coached with Revolution Volleyball Club based in Chambersburg.
A native of Johnstown, Leonard is a graduate of Shade High School. She has earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education from Juniata College, a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Shippensburg University, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Pittsburgh.
