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Paths to greatness converge for two Raider All-Americans
Two paths to greatness converged this past spring for a pair of once-in-a-lifetime Raider greats.
Within the span of one semester, Ariel Jones and Hannah Marsteller wrote memorable final chapters to their record-setting collegiate careers, leaving them forever linked to one another and to Shippensburg University.
Jones, a senior on the women’s basketball team, became the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference’s (PSAC) all-time leading scorer (2,806 points) and the fourth-leading scorer in the history of Division II while leading her team to its first NCAA Tournament victory in 21 seasons.
At the same time, Marsteller—a graduate softball player—was setting records of her own on the diamond, and the Raiders’ all-time home run queen (62 career home runs) eventually lifted her squad to a PSAC Championship—the team’s first conference title since 2005.
The softball team earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament as the Atlantic Region’s No. 2 seed and reached the Atlantic Region final after posting NCAA wins over Davis & Elkins and Kutztown. They finished with 34 wins, their most since 2014.
“When I first came to Ship, I never in my wildest dreams expected to be where I am at the end of my career,” stated Marsteller. “My goal my entire life was to play college softball and leave an everlasting impact.”
The women’s basketball team recorded 25 wins, their most in a single season in 22 years—dating back to the 2000-01 team that went 28-5 and reached the NCAA Final Four.
“When I first came to Ship, I was very nervous because I knew how competitive it was going to be,” Jones admitted. “I came in with 10 other freshmen and I knew I needed to make an impact right away. I never expected to break all the records I did, or accomplish all of the things I did, but I definitely had big goals for myself. I know the work that I put in to get where I am, and I know that it didn’t ‘just happen.’”
Both student-athletes saw individual success from the day they stepped on campus. Jones started every game in her first collegiate season and averaged 21.8 points per game. Marsteller hit 10 home runs and drove in 46 runs as a freshman.
But over the course of their respective SU careers, each encountered some bumps along the road. Both had a season axed due to COVID-19, while Jones also overcame a 7-21 season as a freshman and an injury that cut short her 2021-22 campaign after just two games.
The growth of their respective programs, as well as the historic team success in their final season, made it all worthwhile.
The records are something I will cherish forever but the help of my coaches and teammates is something that I will never forget.
“From the first day I stepped on to that field to the very last, I saw the culture, accountability, and expectations of the program change for the better,” Marsteller said. “I am so grateful to have been a part of that growth. I am so proud of every team I have been on throughout the years because we all worked towards the same collective goal.”
“I knew that if we all bought in to the things [Head Coach Kristy Trn] was teaching us and we continued to put the work in, our time would come!” Jones said. “I’m so proud of my team and am so lucky to have been surrounded by a group of girls who were so supportive and fun and loving. I can’t thank them enough for the huge part they played in everything that we and I accomplished. The trust that the coaches had for me was unbelievable and I hope they know it was reciprocated.”
All told, Jones and Marsteller account for 37 individual single-game, season and career records at Shippensburg.
This season alone, Jones broke the alltime PSAC single-game scoring record (51 points), the PSAC career scoring record, the NCAA Division II career free-throws made record (850) and the PSAC singleseason scoring record (795 points) while earning 2023 WBCA and D2CCA AllAmerica honors. She finished her Raider career with program records for points, field goals (853), and free throws.
Marsteller owns more than ten career hitting records. In addition to the home run mark, the first baseman is the alltime program leader in hits (282), runs scored (195), slugging percentage (.857), on-base percentage (.516), doubles (62), runs batted in (249), and total bases (550).
Marsteller wrapped up her record-shattering career with her third straight PSAC East Softball Athlete of the Year recognition— becoming the only SU softball player to win more than one PSAC Athlete of the Year honor. Additionally, the two-time Ron Lenz NCAA Division II Player of the Year became the first Raider in 17
years to be named a three-time NFCA and D2CCA All-American.
“I am very proud to have earned those records through hard work and determination and to represent Shippensburg softball through those records, but those records are just statistics in my eyes,” Marsteller noted. “My true goal in my college career was to leave a lasting impact on my teammates and Shippensburg softball. I wanted to learn to be a great leader and guide my team on the right path to success.”
“The records are something I will cherish forever, but the help of my coaches and teammates is something that I will never forget. None of it would have been possible [without them].” Jones added.
Undoubtedly, Jones’ and Marsteller’s exploits and accomplishments will live long in the record books, nor will they soon forget their journey at Ship.
“I learned so much about myself and the person I was meant to become,” Marsteller said. “I met some amazing people, created connections for my future, and learned how to be a great leader. But most importantly I chose the school of my dreams that felt like home to me. It is where I met my best friends, got my degree, and played the sport that I loved. I do not regret a single thing of my experience.”
She continued, “What I will remember most is the people that came into my life and made a positive impact on who I am. I will also remember all the lessons learned from being a student-athlete. Every good and bad experience allowed me to grow as a person and grow towards my professional career.”
Jones echoed similar sentiments.
“Coming into Ship I had many ups and downs, but it has taught me so many lessons that will stick with me forever. I truly can’t thank Ship enough for helping me to grow up from a kid fresh out of high school to the young adult I am today. I met so many great people and not just through sports. I can honestly say I’ve created such amazing relationships with my professors that helped me get to where I am today and helped me become the first person in my family to graduate! They were really the best six years of my life.”
From the first day I stepped on to that field to the very last, I saw the culture, accountability, and expectations of the program change for the better. I am so grateful to have been a part of that growth.
