Penn State women’s volleyball incoming freshmen Izzy Starck and Ava Falduto signed with the program on November 8 and will arrive on campus as early enrollees on January 6.

Starck and Falduto are ranked among the top-five overall prospects in the 2024 recruiting class and recently led their high school teams to state runner-up finishes as seniors. They will be the first Penn State women’s volleyball players to enroll a semester early since Gabby Blossom in 2018.

Starck, the nation’s No. 1 recruit according to Prep Dig, led Viera High School to Florida’s 6A state championship match, but the Hawks (27-5) fell to St. Thomas Aquinas in four sets. Falduto, who played outside hitter instead of libero, guided IC Catholic Prep to the Illinois 2A title match for the second year in a row, but the Knights (36-4) lost to Mater Dei 2-0. Both received AVCA first-team high school All-American recognition.

Starck was named the Florida Dairy Farmers 6A Player of the Year and on Tuesday received the state’s 2023 Miss Volleyball award. Starck, who will play setter in college but is quite a strong hitter, too, dominated in all facets of the game for Viera, recording 434 kills, 414 assists, 354 digs, 52 aces, and 27 total blocks as a senior, per MaxPreps.

Falduto earned first-team all-state honors from illprepvb.com/Michio Chicago VBA after another impressive season with the Knights, posting 369 kills, 341 digs, 46 aces, and 34 total blocks this fall, per MaxPreps. Falduto’s numbers stand out even more when you consider Illinois high school volleyball matches are best-of-three sets instead of five.

After Penn State’s sweep of Northwestern on senior night at Rec Hall, Falduto and Starck discussed their excitement to participate in the Under Armour All-America Match and what it was like competing for USA volleyball last summer, among other topics, in an exclusive interview with DigNittanyVolleyball at midcourt. The transcript of our conversation with them can be found below.

Starck and Falduto are both members of Team Ice for this year’s UA Match, which will take place on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. ET at The Venue at UCF in Orlando, Florida. It was announced Tuesday that Starck will serve as captain for her and Falduto’s team.

They will compete against Team Fire in the prestigious exhibition match, which brings together 28 of the nation’s best high school volleyball seniors for several days of training and camaraderie. They will then head home to pack their belongings before moving in as roommates at Penn State on Saturday, January 6 and starting classes two days later.

What was it like being here at Rec Hall this weekend [for the Michigan State and Northwestern matches]?

Starck: “I think it was nice to be back, just to see what we’re expecting when we get here in about six weeks. It was nice just to be in the environment again. It really got me more excited to get here.”

Falduto: “It was really fun. I’m really happy I got to come down here. Spending time with the girls has been amazing and I’m so excited to get here in a few weeks.”

How would you describe the feeling of signing your national letters of intent?

Falduto: “It just felt unreal. It’s amazing that we get to do this and come here so early, so I’m really excited and I’m very grateful.”

Starck: “I think it’s just such a surreal thing, because we [committed] two years ago, so just finally being able to sign and seal and everything, it just made me feel really good. It just makes me so much more excited.”

What was it like wrapping up your senior seasons with deep playoff runs?

Falduto: “It was really special. Going back to state was just an incredible experience again for the second year. We didn’t finish how we wanted to, but I’m really happy I got to spend the last season with my best friends.”

Starck: “I think it was really fun going into a new environment. Even though I was in a new place for my senior year, it really got me ready for change. When I come here, there’s going to be a lot of change, so being in a new high school, it kind of got me ready for that. It was just a really cool experience all around.”

What are you most looking forward to about heading to the Under Armour match?

Falduto: “I’m really excited to play with a lot of new people. There will be a ton of new girls there who I haven’t met before, so I’m really excited for that and just to be in Florida when it’s really cold in Chicago.”

Starck: “I’m just really excited for the whole experience. What they do is a really cool thing. It’s a really good competition. They’re all the best players. Being able to compete with all those girls will be really fun. And also getting to see all the girls I’ve known for a while and play with them one last time before college.”

What are some things you think you two have improved the most as seniors?

Starck: “I think the biggest thing is just the growth of my game [as far as] consistency and everything. Also, the maturity that it takes. Over the four years in high school, comparing my freshman year to now, how I handle big games is a completely different thing. It’s a good thing before I head off to here is my maturity level is a lot higher than it was in game situations. I think it’s a really good thing that I have.”

Falduto: “I think I’d say I’ve grown the most mentally. My mental game, I don’t get as frazzled during big games. I’m just ready for the challenge that’s in front of me and I don’t back down.”

What was it like competing with USA volleyball last summer?

Falduto: “It was an experience I’ll never forget. I still look at memories to this day and just can’t believe that I got to do all that. I’m really grateful for that. It was the best time of my life probably so far.”

Starck: “I think it was just really cool the development you can make in such a short time with those types of people and everything, not just on the court but as a person, how independent I got going over to Puerto Rico and Mexico. My independence totally grew. When I come here, I think I’ll be more ready for it. It got me ready for life skills, not just volleyball skills.”

What are some things you enjoy most about playing volleyball?

Falduto: “I just love how every point, it’s a battle. There’s always something happening. I just love the competitive environment, especially here in Rec Hall. Playing in this environment has always been a dream, so I’m really excited for that.”

Starck: “I think just the competitive aspect of it and having a whole team have your back. A lot of sports aren’t team sports and you don’t have people to lean on when you’re struggling, so it being a team sport and always having this competitive drive is just something I’ve always loved.”

What are you looking forward to most about getting here in January?

Falduto: “I’m excited to spend every day with Izzy and grow with the team, spend a lot of time training and just working on my skill and development and getting ready for the fall.”

Starck: “I’m also excited to spend every day with Ava. It’s something I’ve looked in the future for so long at, and it finally being here, I think I’m just so ready and excited to get in the gym with the coaches, be able to compete with the girls, and it’s just so exciting. It makes me want it to happen sooner.”

What’s it been like being around the team and having them welcome you two in?

Falduto: “They’re always so welcoming. They’re always so nice and positive. I think that it’s a group that I’ll fit in with and just get to know better, and I’m really excited for that.”

Starck: “I think it’s a really nice group of girls. They’re really welcoming. It makes me feel welcome before I even get here. The transition is going to be even smoother now, just coming in and them welcoming us right away and everything.”

What was your experience like being at the football game [against Rutgers at Beaver Stadium]?

Falduto: “It was really cool. It was my first [Penn State] football game. Being on the field was really cool. I had only seen videos of it. It was really awesome.”

Starck: “I think it was just cool to be on the field and in that environment, seeing that much support that Penn State has. It really gets me excited to be a student-athlete here. It’s so cool to be on the field, especially at a Penn State football game.”

How has your sister, Anjelina, helped you improve your game?

Starck: “Not just with skills but from a mental standpoint, she’s always there when I need her, in any situation. She always says the right things to me, because she knows me the best. I think just getting past those mental blocks has really made me develop as a player.”

What kind of advice do you have for younger players on what it takes to succeed and get to this level?

Falduto: “I’d say, every time you take the court, have a purpose and work on your craft every single day, both mentally and physically. Just dream big and keep going.”

Starck: “Don’t compare yourself to other players, because everyone has their own path and development. Just focus on what you do and take the feedback you get in the best way you [can]. I think that’s the best way to improve your game and be the best you can be.”

How would you describe the level of success of the Penn State program and what it means to be playing for this team?

Falduto: “Yeah, we all know the legacy. It’s incredible. I think that’s a big aspect of why we’ve gotten so many great recruits over the years. I think it’s a big reason why we’re going here, because of the history of this program. I think that Coach Katie [Schumacher-Cawley] is just taking it to another level, so I’m really excited to play for her and the coaching staff and to play with these girls.”

Starck: “I think all the history they have here and the culture they’ve built, they always want the best for you, but always push you past what you think you can be. It’s a really cool environment and really cool how the coaching staff is continuing the legacy over the years. It’s just something super cool to be a part of.”

What’s your relationship like with Megan [Hodge Easy] and what do you think it will be like getting coached by her?

Falduto: “I’ve met her a few times. I haven’t really gotten to talk to her too much, but I’m really excited to grow my relationship with her and just see what she has to offer. I know she’s been a great addition to this coaching staff, so I’m really excited.”

Starck: “I actually met her yesterday (Nov. 17) for the first time, but she seems really cool and everything, really welcoming. I’m just excited, because she knows so much about the game. She played at the highest level possible and was one of the best in her time. I think learning from her, because she knows so much about it, is going to be super cool.”

What’s your favorite thing in general about this coaching staff?

Starck: “I think that they always have your best interest [in mind], not just as a player, but as a person. On and off the court, they always have your back, but they’re going to push you past what you think you can be, which makes you a better player.”

Falduto: “I think they all bring something a little different to the table, but them together is just a power team. They’re all so caring and always want the best for their players. You could tell, before we even get there, they’re always going to be there for you. It’s just really important.”

What are some things you want to work on before you get here?

Falduto: “I’d say definitely confidence and the mental side of the game still a little more, but also my skill on the court and just developing as a player overall.”

Starck: “I think just cleaning up setting, consistency and everything, just to make sure I’m the best I can be before getting into Big Ten play. Also, the same thing about the mental aspect. Big Ten play and the competition they play is going to take a lot of mental stamina, so just trying to build that as much as I can before I get here.”

Are there any shout-outs you want to give to people who have been influential in your career to this point?

Falduto: “My parents, for always supporting me and doing everything for me. All of my coaches who I’ve had, they’ve always helped me improve my game, both mentally and physically. I’ve just seen a whole new side of volleyball through my coaches, so I’m very grateful for all of them, and this [Penn State] coaching staff also.”

Starck: “I think mainly my sister, just showing me how great of a program this is and everything, because it can either be a good or a bad thing, how much you know about a program. Her being on the inside has shown me how great of a program it is. She’s always pushing me and saying, ‘It’s going to be okay. It always gets better.’ She always has my back.”