Russ Rose in 1983: “Outstanding defensive player who has directed the Penn State offense for the past three seasons.”
“She is a good athlete and does things that the other team isn’t sure how to react to. That is an advantage for us.” Russ Rose quoted in “Lady spikers win Buckeye title,” “Lady spikers win Buckeye title,” The Daily Collegian, Nov. 8, 1982
Russ Rose Now (2026): “Leslie helped build the foundation of the program. She was from Octorara High School in Parkesburg, PA, and in addition to her talents, she brought Pops into the program. He was her grandfather and we had an annual team award named after him. Leslie was 5’3” and was so tough and durable, which was especially important in my early years because I only had three in-state scholarships, so the starting setter had to play for four years. I never had a backup setter — I couldn’t invest scholarships in backups because I needed the scholarships for people who were playing. Years after she graduated, Leslie came across the scholarship letter she signed when she came here as a freshman, and she sent me a picture of it. I told her how embarrassed I was by how little scholarship money I had been able to give her. But she said I shouldn’t be embarrassed, that she had been very proud to have earned it. That was the type of person and player she was.”
1983 Season (Senior) Highlights and Awards: Atlantic 10 All-Tournament Team … led the Atlantic 10 with 1618 assists … Letterwinner.
Season Recap: Selected Most Valuable Player in 1982 by her teammates. Participated in the National Sports Festival in 1981 and 1982.
Before Penn State: Octorara High School, Parkesburg, PA.
“Lady spikers win Buckeye title,” The Daily Collegian, Nov. 8, 1982