Lehigh Athletics
Women's Volleyball Roster
Rachel Charles
| Number: | 5 |
| Position: | Libero/DS |
| Height: | 5'7" |
| Class Year: | Jr. |
| Major: | Earth & Environmental Sciences |
| Hometown: | Farmington Hills, Mich. |
| Previous School: | Marian Catholic |
WHY LEHIGH? "As soon as I walked onto the campus, I knew Lehigh was the college I could see myself at for the next four years. Lehigh is known for its outstanding academic program and was a place where I could continue to play volleyball at a high level."
ON THE STUDENT-ATHLETE EXPERIENCE? "It is an absolute privilege to be a part of the Lehigh student-athlete atmosphere. It's awesome to have the other athletes and students at the games cheering you on!"
2012 (JUNIOR SEASON)
2011 (SOPHOMORE SEASON)
Breakout year, earning Patriot League Libero of the Year honors…Played in all 29 matches…Finished second in the Patriot League with 444 digs…Led the league with 55 service aces (0.53 per set)…Tied for the most digs by any Patriot League player in a single match (of 2011), recording a career-high 32 in a four-set victory over Princeton (9/17)…Had 25 digs against Army (9/23)…Tied a career high with six service aces against Lafayette (10/7)…Over the summer, was selected as one of 48 scholar-athletes to participate in the U.S. Women’s National A2 Team Program.
2010 (FRESHMAN SEASON)
Led the team with 355 digs and service aces with 33…Recorded a team-high nine digs in her first collegiate match against Duquesne…Had 23 digs in each match against Robert Morris and Radford…Collected a game-high 20 digs against Jacksonville…Dug a team-high 24 balls against Delaware State…Registered a game-high 22 digs at Holy Cross…Recorded a season-high 30 digs and added two service aces in a five-set duel with Army.
BEFORE LEHIGH
Rachel Charles is a 5'6" libero/defensive specialist from Marian Catholic High School and Legacy Volleyball Club. As a three-year varsity captain, Charles led her team to the three straight state finals, including a Class A State Championship in 2009 where her team finished the year with a record of 77-2 and ranked tenth nationally by Prepvolleyball. In 2009, Rachel was voted Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Michigan, the only libero in the country to receive this prestigious award, and was runner-up for Miss Volleyball in the state of Michigan, the only libero to ever make it into the top 5 in voting. Rachel was a four-time All-League selection, three-time All-State selection, and was selected to the Observer and Eccentric Newspaper first team in each of the last three years, as well as a two time nominee for Detroit News First Team.
Career Statistics
|
Year
|
GP
|
K
|
E
|
TA
|
PCT.
|
SA
|
SE
|
DIG
|
BS
|
BA
|
TB
|
A
|
|
2010
|
22
|
1
|
0
|
15
|
.067
|
33
|
31
|
355
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
53
|
|
2011
|
29
|
4
|
6
|
26
|
-.077
|
55
|
49
|
444
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
55
|
|
2012
|
26
|
5
|
3
|
29
|
.069
|
28
|
33
|
473
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
64
|
|
Totals
|
77
|
10
|
9
|
70
|
.014
|
116
|
113
|
1,272
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
172
|
GETTING TO KNOW RACHEL
Nickname: Ray
What’s your favorite thing about Lehigh? The campus
Major & Why: Earth & Environmental Science. I find the field very interesting and it’s a growing field for my generation.
Favorite Class at Lehigh: Environmental Geology
Favorite Place on Campus: Drinker House (Residence Hall) 312
Favorite Food: Crab Legs
Favorite Color: Turquoise
Favorite Musical Artist: Goo Goo Dolls
Favorite Movie: Fired Up!
Favorite TV Show: Breaking Bad, Teen Mom
Favorite Website: Great Day To Be An Athlete
Favorite Pro Team: Detroit Tigers
Favorite Athlete In Another Sport: Justin Verlander
Hobbies: Watching TLC
Magazine Cover I'd Like To Be On: People
Place I'd Like To Visit: Italy
Talent I’d Most Like To Have: Public Speaking
Dream Job: Mom
I Wear My Jersey Number Because: It’s been my number on every team since freshman year of high school.
If I Didn't Play Volleyball, I Would Play: Soccer
If I Had $1 Billion, I Would: Buy an island and build a mansion