Head Coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley answered questions from the media on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.  Below is the transcript of those questions and answers, lightly edited for length and clarity.

Question: Were you able to evaluate the team after losing the Purdue match?

Coach Katie: Even though we lost at Purdue, I thought we played better than we did the match before. So I think we had that day off in between, and had a good practice. And I think kind of just refocused. I mean, they know that it’s a quick turnaround and that we need to be ready to go and win. You know, we have to win matches right now to put ourselves in the best position. So I thought we played really well on Sunday and did some good things and competed hard. And, you know, despite what anyone’s record is in this conference, every team is really competitive.

Question: You had a lot of family there. Sunday in Champaign. What was that like?

Coach Katie: Yeah, it was great. All my crazy family. Yeah, it was a lot of fun. It was fun to see people. It was fun to see, you know, it was 100 years of their facility. And so I saw a couple former volleyball players from Illinois that I knew, and it was great. That’s a great school, and great to see a lot of fun people.

Question: What can you say about Maggie’s performance? She didn’t record an error on Sunday.

Coach Katie: I think Maggie’s been playing really well. She and Addie have been working really hard together, and you know, she’s finding her and getting kills. I think Maggie just plays hard all the time, and I’m happy to see her playing well right now. It’s a good time to start being good all the time.

Question: How much time is she spending with the basketball team right now?

Coach Katie: Hardly any. I think earlier in the season, like on our off day, she may go over and just shoot. But, you know, I think right now, she’s just focused on finishing volleyball the best she can. I know she’s excited about that next step, but I think she’s really enjoying finishing up this season with us.

Question: What stands out about Minnesota? Obviously, that’s a big matchup on Friday.

Coach Katie: I’ll say the same thing. Everyone’s a big matchup for us right now. I think Minnesota is a great place to play at an awesome facility. I think they’re doing some really good things. They’ve had a couple injuries this season, but outside of their injuries, I still think they’re playing really good volleyball, and they have some really great pieces and compete hard. So we need to play well and be aggressive and snag one on the road.

Question: You have kept emphasizing that you want to see your team improve the serve and pass game. Would you say this weekend you saw an improvement, or do you say it’s the same?

Coach Katie: I think we definitely saw an improvement. I thought that we served really aggressive both nights. We’re still going to miss serves, but I think we were making teams scramble a little bit. And you know, that’s what you want to do. And we need to continue to keep working on that. And like I said, Minnesota is a really neat environment to play in. It’s a big arena, and so our serving has got to be aggressive

Question: For Ohio State, how much of the prep is going back and watching your first match against them?

Coach Katie: I think that always helps. I think that helps the players. But I think teams have gotten better as the season went on, and so I think it’s important to watch what they’ve done the last couple matches, and not just when we played them a couple weeks ago.

Question: Do you think it’s going to be a good morale boost for your team to be back home after a lot of road matches?

Coach Katie: I do. I think it’s fun to travel with this team. I think they enjoy being on the road together. But coming back home and having quite a few matches here before we close out the Big 10 season, I think it’ll be nice for them, and a little easier with school. I’m looking forward to it.

Question: Speaking of morale, how much did that win against Illinois boost the morale for the team?

Coach Katie: I think it builds a little bit of confidence, and I think they need to trust their skills, and they need to believe in what they can do, and not just the coaching staff. And so I think just continue to get better every day in practice and be ready to compete. It’s going to be a battle on Friday.  I think these next couple days, we’ll have some good practices and be focused and ready to go.

Question: You obviously got to the highest point last year at this point in the season. What are the goals right now? How do you guys stay committed to getting to those goals?

Coach Katie: We talk about winning, but we talk about taking each match and preparing the best we can. Because I think it’s really important to be prepared and for our players to know what’s going on, and not just from the coaching staff, but they need to take a little time for themselves to watch film. The goal is we have to win matches and put ourselves in a position to be able to compete for [the] tournament.

Question: Have you seen Lexi Ewing grow throughout the season?

Coach Katie: Lex has gotten so much better since the beginning of the season. I think she’s feeling a bit more confident in her skills and her ability. And I think every match we walk away and she learned something.  [That’s] only going to help her continue to get better. I’m happy with what she’s doing and in the work that she’s putting in.

Question: What’s her relationship like with CJ? And do they bond it all over their dads being who they are?

Coach Katie: Their dads? Yeah, I guess. Our players are really good to each other, and I think they all get along really well and help each other.  I always stress being a great teammate and to help each other. You never know when you’re gonna get your opportunity. CJ has been super helpful, and I think all the older kids have been great to the younger group and helping them along the way.

Question: We talked with Gill [Grimes] today.  I’m curious what you enjoy most about her off the court. We obviously all know that she’s a lot of energy on the court.

Coach Katie: Yeah, Gill’s crazy, but she’s a good crazy. I’m so happy for Gill and everything that she’s done and that she’ll continue to do here, and then after, after college.  She’s been an absolute joy to have in the program, and I know she’s made her mark.  She’ll continue To be a great ambassador for Penn State volleyball.

Question: What are some of the things you do at this point in the season to kind of keep things light and what not with such a long stretch.

Coach Katie: Yesterday was our day off.  I think for the girls, it’s nice to be able to have some time for themselves and to regroup. And obviously they use our new facility, Greenberg, that has all the saunas and cool tubs or whatever it is that they need. But, you know, I think it’s just allowing them to have that time for themselves and to really rest. I think this group likes being around each other, though.  For me, it’s fun to get back at it. I didn’t see anyone yesterday, so it’s always good to catch up and check in on their classes and just see how they’re doing.

Question: What stood out to you as keys to beating Ohio State the first time around?

Coach Katie: Well, think that’s one of the matches that we didn’t serve great, right? We missed like 19 or 20 serves, I think I have to check.  But I thought we competed hard, and it was at their place, and it was a packed facility. I think it’s hard to win in this conference and on the road, especially because each of these schools, they do such a great job with their fan base, with women’s volleyball, and so I thought we competed hard there. That’s a great facility to play at in a really neat environment. And I thought the team did a really good job of staying composed and finding a way to win.

Question: How cool is it for you to see, over the last 25 years, how college volleyball, and especially the Big 10, has grown with those crowds?

Coach Katie: Yeah, it’s amazing. It’s unbelievable. I think because of Big Ten Network, and what we’ve been able to do with being on TV, it’s really special, and the pro leagues — that’s only going to help us.  And we’re helping them. I think volleyball is in a great place right now, and it’s still growing.

Question: What would your message be to Penn State fans to keep them engaged in volleyball when there’s all these other big-time sports?

Coach Katie: Yeah, there’s football, hockey, wrestling — well, wrestling hasn’t started yet, but think we have a great group of individuals that are so engaged in the community, and I think they’re really special. And you know they’re going to do great things after Penn State, but I think what they do for the university and what they do for the program is something to really see.

Question: I wonder if you could just speak on your seniors, with senior night coming up in a few weeks, and just kind of an eclectic mix you have with some transfers, and Gill from the original group.

Coach Katie: I really want us to finish these six matches really strong for these seniors. I think each of them will leave their mark here at Penn State, and will always come back and always have a home here. I’m proud of what they’ve done on the volleyball court, but I’m excited to see what their future brings. I think they’re all really special individuals.

Question: Was there, and is there, any added emotion for Emmi playing against Ohio State?

Coach Katie: I think it’s always kind of a different feel. But I know she’s really happy to be here at Penn State and I was happy that we got that win having her.  She’s a Penn Stater now, so hopefully she’s over that hump of playing against them there. I know she’s happy to be wearing the Blue and White.

Question: What have you seen her improve the most throughout the season.

Coach Katie: Over the course of the season, I’ve seen her become more confident in her abilities and take on a bigger leadership role within the team. She’s stepped up in high-pressure moments, and her decision-making on the court has become much sharper. It’s been great to witness her develop not just technically, but also in terms of her presence and impact on her teammates. Her growth has been a real asset for us, and she’s contributed in so many ways, whether it’s scoring, passing, or supporting others on and off the court. I talked to Emmi after this weekend, I think these last two matches, and a couple before, she’s been really consistent. She’s finding ways to score. She’s passing really well for us.  She’s blocking. I think she’s just been really consistent and really steady. And that’s really helpful for this group.

Question: What are some of the most enjoyable aspects of coaching Kennedy? And have you seen her evolve throughout the year?

Coach Katie: Kennedy’s a special volleyball player, but she’s [also a] really great person and really fun to be around. I think she’s an amazing teammate. I think her skills are getting better, and as good as she is now, I think she knows that she can improve and work different parts of the game. But, yeah, she’s been a blast to coach and just really enjoyable to be around.