Penn State women’s volleyball announced the addition of Lexi Skripek to its 2021 recruiting class Tuesday afternoon, posting the news on social media while congratulating its incoming freshmen on their graduations from high school.

Skripek, a 5-foot-5 libero/defensive specialist from nearby Bald Eagle Area High School, joins a freshman class that already included Anjelina Starck, Rachel Muisenga, Erika Williams, Cassie Kuerschen, and Quinn Menger. Skripek also played for Affinity Volleyball Club and Happy Volley Academy.

The addition of Skripek continues a busy offseason for Russ Rose and his coaching staff, which landed outside hitters Erika Pritchard and Adanna Rollins via transfer earlier this spring. The Nittany Lions have a quick turnaround after wrapping up their 2020 season with a 3-1 loss to Texas in the Sweet 16 on April 18.

Jenna Hampton performed well in her first season as Penn State’s starting libero this spring and retains junior eligibility due to the NCAA’s pause on individual eligibility clocks last academic year. Maddy Bilinovic immediately helped solidify Penn State’s defensive specialist position and finished her freshman season with 104 digs.

Skripek and Kuerschen, another defensive specialist who was originally committed to the University of Tennessee before flipping to the Nittany Lions, will compete for playing time in the backcourt when they arrive on campus this summer.

Skripek and outside hitter Macy Van Den Elzen are the only players on Penn State’s 2021 roster from Pennsylvania.