On Tuesday, December 2, 2025, Head Coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley sat down with members of the media (including DigNittany’s own Ethan Kasales) to answer questions.  Below is the transcript of those questions and answers, lightly edited for length and clarity:

Reporter: Why do you think you guys were able to respond so well against Iowa, especially in terms of blocking, after that Nebraska setback?

Coach Katie: That’s a great question. Ethan. I think the team was really focused and wanting to bounce back. I think Nebraska is a very good team. I think it was a little overwhelming for some of our players. But I thought we played really well on Saturday against a really good Iowa team, and the team wanted to end the Big Ten season on a win.

Reporter: You are the only program in volleyball history to make every single NCAA Tournament. What does that say about your program?

Coach Katie: (Laughing) At least I didn’t screw that up.  I tell Coach Rose the last couple years, at least I didn’t screw that one up. I think it’s amazing and it shows the great tradition we have here. It’s hard to win, and I think the team did a great job this season. They’re excited for this new start of a season, really, and to see what we have left in the tank here.

Reporter: Despite the up and down season, how much will you lean on experience heading into the NCAA tournament?

Coach Katie: I think [Gillian Grimes]  has a lot of impact, and she’s played in the Final Four and championship.  Obviously, Juice [Joce Nathan) and returning players, CJ [Caroline Jurevicius] — I think they understand that it’s a new season. Maggie [Mendelson] and Kennedy [Martin], they all have great experience, but I think the ones that were here last year know that it’s a totally different season. And we had a great practice yesterday, and we’ll get out of here tomorrow, and I know they’re looking forward to competing.

Reporter: You guys were named the #8 seed.  Do you feel like you were a little bit undervalued, or does seeding not matter?

Coach Katie: I thought we’d be a little bit higher. But you know what? It’s what it is. It’s what the committee does, and I think they have a hard job. And hey, we’re where we should be, I guess, and we don’t have a choice in that.

Reporter: What’s the focus, or what stands out to you guys about South Florida for the match?

Coach Katie: We saw them play, was it two years ago down in Tampa?   think they have a great coaching staff. They play hard. They had a great season, and I think their coach has done a really great job down there. I know they’ll play hard and they’ll be prepared.  There’s no easy team once you make it to the Tournament. I don’t care what anyone says. So everyone that’s in it either won their conference or have the numbers and wins to get there, so we need to play well and be ready to go.

Reporter: Going back on the experience of the players. How much of a positive impact have the seniors had on the younger players? There are alot of freshmen on the team in their first NCAA Tournament.

Coach Katie: I think their job as upperclassmen is to make a positive impact, and we talk about that a lot, but I think just having the experience and helping them along the entire season, through the ups and the downs. I’m really proud of them, and think they’ve done a great job.

Reporter: You get an extra day compared to most trips. What’s the balance like of enjoying the warmth and also getting ready?

Coach Katie: Yeah, how about that? We’ll be in warm weather, guys. Sorry, I wish I can take you all.  It’ll be nice. We’re gonna practice here, get down there tomorrow, and our schedule will be pretty tight.  But some free time.  We’ll practice Thursday, our allotted time for the NCAA is at noon, so we’ll practice. I think they’re going to maybe do a pool workout or something like that. So they’ll have some time. I know some of their parents are coming down, but they’ll be pretty locked in and focused. We’ll have film and things like that. So even though it’s an extra day, we’ll be pretty busy.  Game Day is an earlier match for us, so we’ll be up and out pretty early for the match.

Reporter: First half of the season, you played a lot at Rec Hall, but the second half, you played a lot on the road. How much does that second half, playing a lot on the road, help out heading to the NCAA tournament?

Coach Katie: I think it’s really hard to win in our conference, especially on the road. I think a lot of people play better at home. I think we’ve done some nice things on the road this year, and looking forward to piecing it all together.

Reporter: Bit of a different line of questions on the NCAA tournament. I want to ask you about Jocelyn Nathan — what you’ve seen from her this season.

Coach Katie: I think Juice, as we call her, I think she’s probably one of the best teammates around, and she’s really caring. I think she’s stepped up her game. She’s ready to go all the time, and I never question if she’s ready, or when we should put her in and things like that. She knows the game well. She competes hard. She’s a great teammate. I’m really happy for her and her success.

Reporter: I think she’s the only one from the Philly, Delaware area, that’s on the current roster. What stuck out about her during her recruitment that made you know want to have her?

Coach Katie: One of her club coaches was a manager of the volleyball team back in the day, and so just through some club people, we were connected with her and went and saw her play. She was as fiery then as she is now. That’s exactly how she was, and she was fun to watch.  And she’s fun to talk to, and she’s just super engaging. She makes the team better.

Reporter: You guys, being a Pennsylvania school, is that an area you want to tap into more for recruiting? Is there a reason that she’s the only one?

Coach Katie: In 2023 we had Macy [Van Den Elzen] and Lena [Perugini]. I just think it’s the cycle of recruiting. I always want to have a local kid. I mean, we have Kate Lally — a State College kid, so it doesn’t get any more local than that. But I want to get the best players on the East Coast, for sure.

Reporter: What are your thoughts on Joce dancing in THON?

Coach Katie: It’s great. I’m really proud of her, and I know she’s working really hard in the fundraising efforts, and I know she’s really excited to be a part of it and to actually be dancing in it. So it’ll be fun to see her, and, yeah, it’ll be great.

Reporter: What was it like seeing Ava [Falduto] and Catherine [Burke] last year?

Coach Katie: It was awesome, you know? I mean, you guys know that event is one of the greatest things about Penn State.  That goes across the campus. I think it’s one of the most special events.  Students from every organization get involved and help and raise money for a really special cause, and seeing those guys do it last year was really inspiring. They talk about it a lot.

Reporter: You’ve talked about it throughout the season that there was a sense of disappointment with how it’s gone, but also they’re staying motivated. How much do you think it helps that, like you said, it feels like a new season now?

Coach Katie: That’s the only way to look at it. It doesn’t matter what our record is, it doesn’t matter what happened during the season. It’s a fresh start. It’s being focused in practice and still being able to get better as a group. I think this team has taken some really big steps, and we’re getting better, and we’ll be ready to go on Friday.

Reporter: What are some things you saw from the Iowa game that you want to see translate into the match on Friday?

Coach Katie: I thought we played great defense. I thought it was a team effort. I thought everyone did their job. I thought Addie [Lyon] did a good job moving the ball around and I thought defensively, we made some great moves and made some changes quickly, and found a way to win.

Reporter: What are your thoughts on your Big Ten honorees that were announced today?

Coach Katie: I think it’s great. I’m excited.  Those awards are great. And I know each of the players knows that it takes a team to be able to win those awards, but I think they’re well deserved honors, and I’m really happy for them.

Reporter: What do you think about Gill being named Big Ten Libero of the Year?

Coach Katie: She’s Gill. She’s crazy Gill. I think Gill has made some of the biggest strides as a player, from the first time she set foot on campus, and I think she’s only gotten better, and she’s made players around her better. And I think that’s a sign of a special player.

Reporter: You remember your first time interacting with her, talking with her on the phone?

Coach Katie: Oh yeah. Gill came to camp here back in the day. That was when Russ was still the Coach, and, yeah, she was just as fiery then as she is now. And she’s fun to be around. She brings energy for the team.  I think it’s a little extra special when it’s your last season, your last go around. She’s a special player.

Reporter: I think you played down in Austin at some point while you were on the team here. What was that like being in it when it was still Gregory Gymnasium?

Coach Katie: I’m actually excited to be going back there. It’s a smaller facility. I think they do a nice job of of having great crowds, and they like volleyball down there. And, yeah, I’m excited to see some good volleyball.

Reporter: What stands out to you about Texas? If you guys do both win on Friday?

Coach Katie: I think they’re a really good team. I think they’re playing well right now. I think they have some great leadership, and they have some players that have played in national championships. Their setter, Ella Swindle, I’ve known for a very long time. I think she’s a special player. And she’s got some really great surrounding pieces, and they’ve had a great season. I think we’ll give our best on Friday and that should be our concern right now — this Friday.

Reporter: We’ve talked all year about how much of a gauntlet the Big Ten is. They have tons of representation in this year’s tournament. What does that say about the conference?

Coach Katie: I’ve said it to you guys all the time — it’s hard to win, and it’s so competitive. And I think that’s what makes this conference so great — how competitive it is.  It’s great to see as many teams get in, and I think it’s deserved. I wish for all the Big Ten teams to do well.

Reporter: What does it feel like, knowing that you’re going into the NCAA tournament as the defending champion?

Coach Katie: How does it feel? Yeah, man, that feels like light years ago. It does, doesn’t it? I mean, it’s crazy. It was special to win then. I just want our players to have a great experience and to to do their very best. And what we’ve got left here. We won’t be the “defending champs,” you know. We’ll see how it shakes out here.

Reporter: Are there any differences you’ve noticed with how teams play in the NCAA Tournament? Maybe a little more “no holds barred” type of play?

Coach Katie: I think when players know it possibly could be your last match wearing the uniform. I say to the team all the time, it’s every semester, it’s a different team. We’ll have four new freshmen here in January. So it’s a totally different team. And so to really embrace the group that you’re with, and to give it your best.

Reporter: We’ve talked to [assistant coach Brian Toran] and [assistant coach Mike Henchy] about the incoming freshman.  We haven’t gotten you on record about them yet.  What impresses you about them, having all four on campus?

Coach Katie: I think it’s crazy that kids are coming to school early, but I also see the benefits of it, with school and and playing. But I’m really excited about each of them. I think they’ll all make an impact on the program, and I know they’re so excited to get to campus.

Reporter: What impresses you about Kendall Northern and just her athleticism?

Coach Katie: Kendall is very athletic. She’s quick off the floor. She’s gonna do some great things here. I’m excited to see her and get her in the gym, in the weight room. I think she’s gonna be great here

Reporter: And the two outsides. What impresses you about them?

Coach Katie: Finley [Krystkowiak] and Haley [Burgdorf] are both six-rotation left sides that have a lot of experience. I think they are high energy players and they’ll make an impact. It’s definitely a humbling experience going to college — the game is a little bit different, a little faster — but I’m excited to see what they can do this spring and get them prepared for fall.

Reporter: You guys had a lot of the top setters here at camp.  What was it about Danielle [Whitmire] that made you want to pursue her?

Coach Katie: She’s so fun to be around. I think she’s a leader. She’s an aggressive setter. She can hit as well. She’s a really special player. I’m excited that she’ll be here with us training. She’s a lot of fun to be around.

Reporter: Gabby Nichols has been playing some really good volleyball lately, seeing more starting time. What can you say about her development?

Coach Katie: Gabby’s a workhorse. Gabby comes to practice every day and is ready to go and focused. And she’s improved a ton this season. I think her play shows [that].  She works every day, and whether she was starting or not starting, I knew she’d be giving her best in practice. So she definitely is earning her playing time, and I think she’s doing a great job.

Reporter: It obviously wasn’t the ideal situation for Addie, but she’s gotten better, it seems with every match. What about her as a person do you think it was that allowed her to step into that role [as starting setter] and become what she’s been in it?

Coach Katie: Addie is very mature, and has a lot of playing experience. I think for her, it was just getting comfortable a lot faster. And I think she’s done a great job, and she’s a great teammate and a leader within the group. She might not be the loudest, but she definitely is a leader. I’m proud of how she plays and competes.

Reporter: What have you seen Maggie improve the most the last years?

Coach Katie: Maggie’s having a great season offensively. She’s finding a way to score, which is really nice. She’s involved in every play. Her blocking has gotten so much better, she’s getting great touches, and she’s available to score. And Addie is giving her the ball. So when we pass well, and Addie can do that, it opens up the pins and they can score a little bit more. So I think it’s just everyone doing the best they can, and everyone will score

Reporter: Despite the up and down season, how much confidence do you have in your team to make a run in this tournament?

Coach Katie: I have all the confidence in the world. You know, I see what they do on a daily basis, and I know they’re putting in the time and the effort and doing the right things off the court. I am really confident in them, and that we will enjoy this trip down in Texas.

Reporter: You had all seven grads in the starting lineup the other day. What was that like to get them all in there?

Coach Katie: That was kind of crazy, but it was great. It was fun to see them all be able to start and play and do a good job. I think each of them has done some great things here at Penn State, on and off the court. I’m proud of them for all getting their degrees and being able to graduate. Some of them are graduating early, and that’s hard to do.  But they took classes in the summer and did what they needed to do to be done.  I’m happy for all of them, and excited to see where their future goes.

Reporter: What were some things about Karis [Willow], Catherine [Burke], and Kate [Lally] that you enjoyed?

Coach Katie: Oh, gosh. I think each of them made the program better. And I think that’s all you can ask for from players that come into the program — to make it better and to leave it better and to help those around you.  Even though they didn’t play a ton, they practice every day, and they give me their very best, and they give their teammates their best, and they make them better.  That’s all you can ask for. It’s hard not to be the person playing all the time. But people understand their roles, and when that happens, great things happen.

Reporter: What are your thoughts on Cam Hannah leading her high school to a state title?

Coach Katie: I’m happy for Cam, although they beat my high school [Mother McAuley], so we had some words about that. But it’s fun.  Cam loves coaching. She said she thinks that’s what she wants to do. She had a blast, and I’m happy for her and hopefully get out to see her play this pro season. So it’s good to see a South Side Chicago team win.