Jess Mruzik Transfers To Penn State Volleyball

Posted on by Ethan Kasales

Jessica “Jess” Mruzik, a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection from the University of Michigan, will transfer to Penn State women’s volleyball following her graduation this spring, the program announced Thursday.

Mruzik, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter from Livonia, Michigan, was named the Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year for 2019-20 following a standout career at Mercy High School in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

Mruzik represented Legacy Volleyball Club based out of Novi, Michigan. She took home MVP honors at the 2019 Under Armour All-America Match in Orlando, Florida. Mruzik was also named MVP of the 2019 FIVB U18 World Championship in Egypt as a member of the U.S. youth national team that won the gold medal.

Mruzik tallied 946 kills, 609 digs, 132 total blocks, 58 aces, and 56 assists during her time with the Wolverines. She had a career-high 31 kills in a home win over Duke as a sophomore in 2021. Mruzik could end up playing six rotations for the Nittany Lions given her versatile skill set. She has two years of eligibility remaining.

Here’s a link to Jess Mruzik’s full bio on the University of Michigan website:

Jess Mruzik – Michigan Stats

You can access her stats by clicking on “Stats” on the menu bar below her photo and name.

Mruzik visited Rec Hall for the Penn State men’s volleyball match against Merrimack last Saturday, a 3-0 victory for the Nittany Lions. She became acquainted with members of the women’s team who were also in attendance and met with the coaching staff while touring campus and the facilities.

Mruzik’s addition to the program this summer will give Penn State one of the top returning outside hitters in the Big Ten. Her commitment to the Nittany Lions continued Katie Schumacher-Cawley and her staff’s excellent use of the transfer portal to add talent. An added benefit for Penn State — Mruzik had 43 kills and 37 digs in three career matches against Penn State.

Here’s the video of Mruzik’s final effort against Penn State in Michigan’s 3-0 win over the Nittany Lions on September 24, 2022 (hey, keep reminding yourself — Jess will be on our side now):

Mruzik earned AVCA All-American honorable mention as a sophomore and secured a spot on the AVCA all-north region first team the last two seasons. She’s also an accomplished student, receiving Academic All-Big Ten laurels twice with the Wolverines. Mruzik will complete her undergraduate degree in only three years.

Mruzik will compete for playing time with fellow pin hitters Alexa Markley, Zoe Weatherington, and Anjelina Starck, among others, upon arriving on campus this summer. Mruzik’s addition to the Nittany Lions will likely entice other top players to consider joining the program in the coming months.

Seleisa Elisaia, Kashauna Williams, Taylor Trammell, and Zoe Weatherington made up Schumacher-Cawley’s first transfer class prior to the 2022 season. All four made significant contributions. The Nittany Lions finished 26-8 last fall after making the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. Schumacher-Cawley was the only first-year head coach to lead their program to regionals.