Susan Plyler is one of the most prolific setters in Allegheny Volleyball history, finishing third all-time in career assists (3,522). In 1985, Susan’s freshman year, the Gators won the NCAC conference championship.
In 1986, the volleyball team posted a regular season record of 26-13 and placed second at the conference championships. During the post season tournament, Plyler, a then-sophomore, led the team in assists by putting 85 balls up for the spikers, and consequently, was named to the All-North Coast Athletic Conference Second Team.
A year later in 1987, the Gators compiled a 42-4 regular season record that saw them win 37 straight matches. In those 46 matches, the team won 92 out of 110 total games, thereby compiling an 83.6 win percentage. A junior setter and co-captain,Plyler played in all 110 games and set an Allegheny record that year with 1,076 assists. The Gators finished second in conference play and Plyler earned All-NCAC First Team honors. Plyler’s consistent performance helped the Gators win their first-ever bid to the NCAA Division III tournament. The Blue and Gold cracked the national rankings at 12th for the first time in October 1987; the final poll of the 1987 season had Allegheny in the 19th spot.
The Gators’ 1988 season schedule was one of the toughest Division III schedules in the country. On the schedule were three teams that finished in the top 10 in Division III the previous fall as well as many Division II teams from western Pennsylvania. A senior co-captain, Plyler was one of the driving forces that lead the team to a 44-8 regular season finish. In November 1988, the Gators, ranked first in the region and 10th in the country among Division III schools, came away with the NCAC Championship over seventh-ranked Kenyon. The team went on to receive their second consecutive bid to the NCAA National Tournament. Plyler became Allegheny’s first volleyball All-American with her selection to the Second Team by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). She was selected to the AVCA All-East Region Team and the All-NCAC First Team as well. Plyler, a four-time academic All-American, recorded 1,406 assists her senior season - the second-most in a season by a Gator.
