The Penn State women’s volleyball program held its seventh weekly media availability of the 2024 season Tuesday afternoon before practice at Rec Hall.

Head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley and sophomore defensive specialist Jocelyn Nathan discussed a variety of topics ahead of Penn State’s road match against Ohio State (8-8, 1-5 Big Ten) Friday at 8 p.m. at the Covelli Center in Columbus.

Nathan has played in six matches so far this season, recording five aces, including a career-high four in a sweep of Temple on September 1 in Philadelphia, to go along with three digs and an assist. Nathan explained the backstory behind how she got her nickname, “Juice,” and what it means to her to play for such a prestigious program.

The Nittany Lions (16-1, 6-0 Big Ten) remained No. 3 in this week’s AVCA rankings after sweeping Michigan State last Friday in East Lansing and beating Indiana 3-1 last Sunday in Bloomington. Penn State will welcome No. 14 Minnesota (11-5, 4-2 Big Ten) to Rec Hall Sunday at 2 p.m. for the program’s annual Dig Pink match.

Katie Schumacher-Cawley

What were some of the biggest positive takeaways from last weekend for you?

“That we got two wins. No, I say the same thing. I think that this conference is relentless. I thought that the team showed some guts over the weekend and found a way to win. I thought both Michigan State and Indiana, regardless of what their records are, play hard, do some really great things, and definitely had us working overtime.”

I know you’re obviously familiar with all the opponents in the Big Ten, but what’s the dynamic like when you’re going to play a team like Michigan State for the second time this season versus a team like Indiana, or most of the teams you guys play, where you only see them once a year?

“I think, for the players, it was pretty close from the first time we played Michigan State, so for them, scouting, it was a little bit easier. And then, obviously, moving onto Indiana, Steve [Aird] does a great job there. They’re competitive and gave us some problems. I think the day off in between was good for us. We struggled, but made some better choices as we moved on throughout the match. I think you have to be able to perform on the road, and I think we’ve done a nice job of it, but I think it’s only going to get harder now. I think just being able to be prepared mentally and physically.”

It will be 16 days on Sunday since the last time you guys played at Rec Hall. What will it mean to step on the court again [there]?

“We love playing at Rec Hall. I know the team is looking forward to this weekend. Obviously, it’s a quick trip to Ohio State. I think Ohio State, despite what their record is, I think they’re a really good team and I think they’re playing really hard right now. We have to play some great volleyball to beat them, but I think it will be nice to come home. It’s alumni weekend and there are quite a few girls coming back. I think it will be nice for this team to meet some of the alums and have some conversations with them. Obviously, just being back at home is always great.”

This is part of a [five out of six] away-match stretch. How important is it to stay mentally tough and resilient during this time?

“Yeah, it’s super important. I think the team does a good job, though, of taking advantage of when we do have an off-day, but they’re still getting treatment or they’re doing something to help their bodies. I’m proud of the choices that they’re making on that side of it, because it is a long season. I think every match is high stress on being able to play well and work together, but I think they’ve done a really good job of showing that they can do that.”

I feel like the Penn State-Ohio State rivalry is one that really transcends across all sports, regardless of what the records of the teams are. I remember you guys played super close with them last year [at home]. They still have Emily Londot. Is that rivalry aspect of the match something that the team and the players will be focused on a little bit going into Friday?

“I think the team finally understands that every match we play matters and every match in this conference is going to be tough. I think, back in the day, there were some teams that maybe weren’t so great consistently, but I don’t think there’s one team in this conference that is like this now. I think they understand that and they value that being prepared, whether it’s with film or skills that they need to do a better job at, [is important]. I’d like them to think that every match is a rivalry match.”

What’s the difference in preparation and mindset between a bunch of unranked away games in a row and then a ranked team coming home after a lot of travel?

“Ohio State’s traditionally ranked. For whatever reason, their record, they’re not. Our goal is, ‘You have to win at home.’ You have to win matches at home and steal on the road. I know we’ll be prepared, but I think it’s having the mindset of earning points right away and making some little changes along the way. I don’t think we really look at if they’re ranked or not. It’s more of [every team] in this Big Ten conference has great players.”

Even going beyond the Big Ten, Pitt lost to SMU [last] weekend and Purdue took Nebraska right to the brink, just in terms of the two teams that are ahead of you guys. Is that just an epitomization of the fact that it’s a bit of a free-for-all this year with how competitive it is?

“I think that you look around and every team has top-level players. I think it’s being able to perform on those days. To have a solid team work ethic has to be constant. I think, out of all of the years, this is probably one of the most competitive years I’ve seen, from top to bottom, in volleyball.”

What will the schedule look like with a late Friday night game and then an early afternoon game on Sunday?

“We’ll come back Friday night right after the match and then we’ll practice Saturday. I think 10:30 or 11 [a.m.] the alums will be back, so we’ll have some alums at practice. It will be a little bit lighter practice. Obviously, they need to rest their legs and be ready to go on Sunday, but we always do get back in the gym and move around a little bit. Sunday morning will pretty much be film and brunch to get ready to go for the game. I know they’ll just be happy to be back on campus and in their own beds.”

What does [Emily] Londot do particularly well having seen her all these years?

“Yeah, she’s a player. I think she’s one of the best players in this league. I think she puts a lot on her back to find ways to score. I think she’s done a really good job of that. I think she competes hard. I think that she goes hard. I’ve seen that for every year she’s been there. I think she takes pride in leading the team. I would expect her to play hard against us.”

You were interviewed for that [Big Ten Network documentary] that’s coming out on Friday [after the Ohio State match]. What was that experience like?

“It’s great. I’m happy that they did something on those [2007-10] teams that were undefeated. I’m excited for Coach [Rose] to enjoy that and listen to some of the players’ stories. I think it’s really special. The alums are special. I’m happy. Coach deserves it.”

Last week, we talked about some of the slow starts that you guys have gotten off to [this season]. Are you still working on it a little bit ahead of this weekend?

“We’re still working on it. Regardless of if we’re serving or receiving the first ball, we have to be able to side-out quicker. I thought our serving at Indiana, I mean, we missed 15 serves. That’s a lot. That’s a lot for us. I think to be able to regroup and focus on playing little games to five and being able to side-out faster is something that we need to be better at.”

I was going to ask about the serving actually. From covering the [Penn State] men’s team last year with Coach [Mark] Pavlik, I kind of have his philosophy on serving ingrained into my head a little bit.

“What? That they can just hit it as hard as they can? No, we like to keep the ball in play.”

I was curious about that, too. Because it is important, obviously, to serve tough and serve physical, but how much is it a balance of serving tough and serving physical and also making sure you’re not giving their team free points?

“Yeah, absolutely. I don’t want to say, ‘Hey, go back there and serve as hard as you can, but don’t miss.’ I think our players understand I don’t like when we miss serves in the net. If you’re going to miss, it should be long. Give yourself a chance for them to play the ball. Again, we’ll do serving every day this week, get refocused on it, and work on hitting some different zones. I think we’ve been doing a good job serving. I think Sunday was not a great showing, but we’ll get back on track.”

What does it mean to win a long set like that [32-30] third set at Indiana?

“I don’t know if you guys noticed that Ava [Falduto] was in the front row because we ran out of subs, so it was a little wild there the last point. You have to keep grinding and finding ways to score. I’m just glad we didn’t give it up. I thought we did a good job defensively.”

We’re going to talk to Joce [Nathan] in a little bit. What impresses you about her off the court and how has she improved in the gym?

“Joce is a great leader. I think she’s one of the players who I can say comes to the gym every day and I know she gives her very best. I think she has a great attitude. She’s an excellent student. She’s an all-around great person and great role model for any young girl wanting to play.”

What do you recall about Megan [Hodge Easy] wearing those white contacts [on Halloween Eve in 2009] against Minnesota?

“Oh, my god, I actually forgot about that. You know, I meant to talk to her about that.”

Do you think you could convince her to wear them against Michigan on Halloween Eve?

“That would actually be really funny. I should. Yeah, we have to talk about that. That was funny. We haven’t talked about it. I got to see the show before [it’s released]. She didn’t. No, I’ll talk to her about wearing those for Michigan. That would be hilarious.”

What was your impression of her as a player and her career?

“I think Megan was probably one of the best outside attackers in the world. I think she was able to do it all, whether it was blocking, passing. I think she was an exceptional player, and I’m really enjoying her being a coach and kind of finding her way on that side of the game. Everyone knows who Megan Hodge is.”

That would be terrifying having the best player in the country just looking at you across the net [with those white contacts in]. 

“Yeah, I know, right? Also, she’s probably a lot nicer now than when she played.”

As far as Minnesota goes, is there anything in particular that stands out about them?

“I think Minnesota’s playing really well right now. Regardless of what their preseason was like, I think they’re playing really well. I think they’re kind of finding their stride. They have great athletes. I think Keegan [Cook] and his staff do a really nice job. We’ll have to play a great match to beat them.”

Joce Nathan

What were some of the biggest takeaways from last weekend’s matches?

“I think being able to go and travel and beat the teams pretty easily. Michigan State, sweep. Obviously, the Indiana game was a little closer, but I think being able to go away from home and perform to the same ability as you would at home is something that’s going to make this team really strong in the long game.”

What’s your relationship been like with the upperclassmen and some of the veterans on this team?

“I’d actually say that I’m probably closest with the seniors, which kind of makes it sad, because obviously they don’t have much time left. They’ve been good examples for all of us. We have a pretty young team. To be able to have such strong women as our seniors, as our captains, it’s a good environment to be around and good people to be friends with, for sure.”

What’s the mindset with one more away game before coming home?

“Every game matters. I think that all of us realize that. A lot of us kind of have a little bit extra motivation to succeed and to get that game done [quickly], so that we can come home and see our families. A lot of girls have dogs, so [we want to] see them as well.”

Where does the nickname “Juice” come from?

“So, actually, I had the nickname in club, but only one or two girls called me it. And I came here for a camp before I committed. One of the girls, Maddy Bilinovic, who used to be on this team, she was like, ‘I’m not going to remember your name,’ so I said, ‘Okay, you can call me Juice.’ And then, after that, whenever I would come, she would call me Juice. All the girls were like, ‘Who are you talking about?’ And then that kind of just stuck, because they all liked the name. I like it. There are a lot worse nicknames to have, for sure.”

What’s your relationship like with Ava [Falduto] and Gillian [Grimes]?

“Oh, I love them. We call ourselves the ‘Fun-Size Group,’ because we’re small in size, big in heart, of course. I love both of them. They’re such sweet girls. They obviously work really hard. I think the three of us really push each other to be the best athletes we can be.”

How does watching those two on the court help you for when you get out there? Also, in terms of the information you’re able to relay to Gillian and Ava, how does that help you and get you more experience from that perspective as well?

“Right, so I think that being off the court, you get to see a lot more than maybe you would in the split second that you’re on. If you miss a pass or whatnot, I can see and relay to them, maybe they’re standing in the wrong spot. Or maybe they’re moving on defense or something like that. We’ve built a good amount of trust. Anything I say, they’re not going to take it to heart or anything like that. I think we have a good bond, the three of us. It’s pretty easy for me to see what’s going on from an outside perspective and relay that to them. And same with them relaying back to me also is a big thing. I think that the three of us have a lot of confidence in each other, and that really shows when they’re playing, because they know that they have each other’s backs, and that I have their backs from off the court and whatnot.”

How much did you know about the legacy of this program before you were recruited? What do you think it will be like to meet some of the alums this Sunday?

“Penn State volleyball is obviously a big thing. Any volleyball player who’s getting recruited knows that. They know the amount of national championships, the heart of this program. I think being recruited [here] in general, maybe not even being on the team, but just being recruited, that means a lot. That means that you can play at a level that a lot of people just dream of doing. The name is huge. A lot of people have said that this team is the closest that it’s looked to that kind of legacy from before. I think that that’s also a complete honor, because that means that we get to pave the way for a lot of new girls in the future.”