Things are definitely turning up roses for Coach Russ Rose and the women's volleyball team nowadays. Never ones for complacency and resting on their laurels, Rose and assistant coach Cindy Harris went out and brought in some more top prospects for the upcoming season.

Rose, about to enter his eleventh season as coach of the Lady Lions, said his main needs were players who would have an immediate impact on the team's success.

"I think I was looking for a couple of players that would be able to come in and help us immediately (and) fill some of the gap I felt was left vacant not only by graduation . . . as well as looking for kids who have the potential to play better down the road," Rose said.

Harris, who is largely responsible for recruiting, expressed satisfaction with this year's prospects.

"I feel real confident in this year's recruiting class," Harris said. "I think with Leanne (Kling) and Kim (Kumfer) being our strongest two, the ones we pursued the most and have the capability to contribute to the program immediately. Both of them are people we're really excited about."

According to Rose, Kim Kumfer, a 5-10 outside hitter from Snider (Ind.) High School, possesses the most volleyball experience among the recruits. A three-time all-conference selection, Rose expects Kumfer to pay immediate dividends.

"We did bring in Kim Kumfer who I feel is going to be able to play early and well in the position that was vacated by Heidi and Kim," Rose said.

Kumfer expects it will take a little time to adjust to Happy Valley.

"It will probably take me a while to adjust; I think it takes everybody a little bit of time (but) I'm looking forward to it and getting out there and starting school," Kumfer said.

Another blue-chip prospect is Kling from Shippensburg Senior High School. Kling is described by Rose as a superathlete, having competed in basketball, volleyball and track and field.

"Any time you can get an athlete the quality of Leanne, you're going to be feeling really good," Rose said. "This is a great athlete (although) her experience isn't that great in volleyball but her potential is quite good."

According to Harris, Kling is the best athlete recruit in this year's class.

"Athletically, she's fantastic," Harris said. "She's a great natural athlete. She has lots and lots of untapped potential. When she is here and works with our elite-level athletes day in and day out, I think in a couple of weeks time, even in pre-season, Leanne could really be a headturner."

Kling said choosing volleyball was not a difficult decision.

"I chose volleyball because it's my favorite (sport) and that's what I want to be doing," Kling said.

Although Kumfer is the more experienced volleyball player Kling's athleticism will make her a potent force by the season's second week, Harris said.

"Kim is probably the kid we expect to have the most ability to contribute immediately," Harris said. "Leanne, I think can contribute in two weeks. I'm not seeing she not going to contribute now but Leanne is a little raw, a little unstable but definitely a better athlete than (Kumfer)."

Rose said he possesses accomplished players with great potential.

"I think a mixture of both," Rose said. "Kim Kumfer is a real solid player right now. So she's going to be able to come in and play well right now. She's a real competitive kid and she had a lot of things I was looking for. She's got real good ball-handling skills. I feel real comfortable that she's going to come in pretty much able to do the things we're going to ask her to do as a freshman."

According to the four-time A-10 Coach of the Year, Kling will only improve.

"I wouldn't call Leanne Kling a project because Leanne Kling I feel is the best player to come out of Pennsylvania in the last three or four years," Rose said. "But she's going to get a lot better."

Academics and athletics convinced Kling and Kumfer that Penn State was the place to be.

"It's a reputable school academically and they have an extremely good volleyball team," Kling said.

"I liked Penn State because of its good education and great volleyball program," Kumfer said.

Erica Spencer, valedictorian of her class at Elderton, is expected to bolster the backcourt defense of the Lady Lions.

"Erica Spencer is a real good backrow player," Rose said. "(She's) very quick and competitive who is going to be able to bring in a lot of enthusiasm and excitement," Rose said.

Tricia Kocjancic is another prospect Rose and Harris have high hopes for.

"I say if anyone is a project it's Tricia Kocjancic is not a project as a player, but could be our next setter," Rose said. "We had some real good reports on Trish. She's has the ability to be a real good leader and she's a good athlete."

Kling, a freshman from Orrstown, is confident she can make all the adjustments to college life.

"I come from a small school but I know what I'm getting into," Kling said. "I'm looking forward to it."

Kumfer and Kling are the only two full scholarship recruits. Kocjancic, Spencer, Val McCormick -- a transfer from Santa Monica, California -- Angela Evans and Liz Klarberg are all walk-ons. Rounding out the list is Dana Chiapetta, a transfer from George Mason.