Four Penn State Volleyball Players Make All-Big Ten Teams

Posted on by Ethan Kasales

Four Penn State women’s volleyball standouts made the All-Big Ten teams Wednesday when the postseason awards were announced by the conference.

Allie Holland and Kashauna Williams landed on the first team, while Seleisa Elisaia earned a spot on the second team. After being named Big Ten Freshman of the Week twice this season, Alexa Markley made the all-freshman team. Katie Clark was Penn State’s sportsmanship award honoree.

Holland has 236 kills, a team-high 145 total blocks, 71 digs, and team-high 29 aces so far this season.

Schumacher-Cawley said she thinks a main reason for Holland’s success this season is she’s being more aggressive with her shot selection on offense.

β€œI think Allie’s taking some big swings,” Schumacher-Cawley said. “I thought, earlier in the season, she was kind of tipping and hitting roll-shots a lot. I think she’s gotten way more aggressive and is finding ways to score. I think she can see that she’s getting more points by being aggressive like that.”

Williams leads the Nittany Lions in kills with 380 heading into the tournament. She also has 59 total blocks and 51 digs.

Elisaia has 1,214 assists, 262 digs, 88 kills, 82 total blocks, and 27 assists, solidifying herself as one of the Big Ten’s best setters this season. She’s one of the most physical players at the position, tallying more kills and blocks than a typical setter in the conference.

Markley’s 150 kills rank fourth on the team. The outside hitter from Peachtree City, Georgia, also has 30 total blocks and 22 digs in her debut season. After easing her into college volleyball with a few early season appearances, Markley continued to gain confidence over the second half of the year, starting seven matches. She tallied double-digit kills in four of her last five contests.

Schumacher-Cawley’s discussed Markley’s second straight Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors and her work ethic as a player during her weekly Tuesday press conference on November 22.

β€œI’m happy for Alexa,” Schumacher-Cawley said. “I think that she’s had a great season so far, and I hope that she continues to get better in the gym. It carries over in the matches for her. I think she works really hard and she’s an exciting player to watch.”

Clark’s ascension to become one of the Big Ten’s most efficient hitters this season has been fun to watch. Her .362 hitting percentage currently ranks fifth in the conference. Her 141 kills are tied with Anjelina Starck for fifth on the team. Clark also has 61 total blocks and 18 digs.

The No. 4 seed Nittany Lions (24-7, 13-7 Big Ten) will host UMBC in the first round of the NCAA tournament Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Rec Hall.