As a sophomore captain, Philadelphia University volleyball player Corinne Justus was nervous and did not really know how to react to being named a team captain as an underclassman.

“Last season we had a new coach and we were all adjusting to a new system,” said Justus. “I was named a team captain with a senior, so I was nervous being just a sophomore when I know some of the older players could’ve also been in my position. But it really helped me grow as a person and a player, and become a better leader for today.”

And today, the Philadelphia University junior is a captain once again. The Emmaus High School graduate helped lead her Rams team to its first ever Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference championship in program history by sweeping Caldwell University on November 20. They are now 29-4 and on a 17-match winning streak, playing in their first ever NCAA Division II tournament.

“It meant everything to win the conference,” said Justus. “It’s our school’s first championship, and to be a part of that is something I’ll never forget. It hasn’t really sunk in yet, it all just happened so fast.”

Justus has been a big part of the success of the 2016 Rams. She was recently named to the All-CACC first team for the second consecutive season.

She was one of the top hitters in the conference, finishing the regular season ranked third with a .312 attack percentage. She set a career high in kills with 225, which was 19th in the conference, despite missing eight matches. Justus sits eighth in the conference in solo blocks (18) and blocks per set (8th), ninth in points per set (3.7), and 11th in total blocks (66).

“I knew this year, being an upperclassman, that I had to work hard and be a leader on the court,” Justus said. “We all worked hard in the offseason and at practice to get better and get to where we are today. It’s an honor to be a part of the All-Conference team.”

Playing for head coach Gwen Millets and a perennial District 11 contender at Emmaus helped Justus prepare for competitive volleyball at the collegiate level.

“Emmaus volleyball conditioned me well to be successful, because our coaches made us work hard every day,” said Justus. “[The Emmaus coaches] wanted us to play our best, to never let the ball hit the ground. I played with some great players, and against some of the best players in the state.”

Justus is a fashion merchandise and management major.

“I still love Emmaus,” Justus said. “I was excited to leave and start the next chapter, but I also miss it a lot. The teachers and staff were great and really set us up academically. It is a great school to study at and challenges you to be the best you can be.”

The Philly University womens volleyball team begins play in the NCAA tournament this week when against Daemen College in the first round in Amherst, NY.