Penn State women’s volleyball held its eighth weekly media availability of the 2022 season Tuesday afternoon before practice at Rec Hall.

Head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley and sophomore defensive specialist Cassie Kuerschen fielded questions ahead of the Nittany Lions’ road trip to No. 3 Nebraska this Friday for a televised match at 8:30 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network.

No. 14 Penn State (14-3, 3-3 Big Ten) dropped a spot in this week’s AVCA rankings after losing to No. 6 Ohio State in five sets last Friday in Columbus and sweeping Illinois at home Sunday. The Nittany Lions will also play away at Iowa Saturday at 8 p.m. ET.

Kuerschen, who hails from Knoxville, Tennessee, is currently fifth on the team with 87 digs and has played in 16 of Penn State’s 17 matches so far this season, including two starts. Kuerschen and freshman Gillian Grimes (101 digs) have been Penn State’s primary defensive specialists behind libero Maddy Bilinovic.

Editor’s note: A handful of reporters attended this week’s media availability. The transcript of questions and answers, lightly edited for clarity, can be found below.

Katie Schumacher-Cawley

What was it like getting to catch up with Megan Courtney and Jonni Parker in Columbus?

“Oh, it was great. It was awesome. I mean, obviously, I love seeing all the alums when we travel. I haven’t seen Megan in a while, since she retired, so it was fun. She came to practice and caught up with the girls, so that was really special. Obviously, Jonni and I talked to quite a bit, so she was filling me in on her teaching and all of that. It was good.”

Despite the comeback falling short against Ohio State, what were some of the main adjustments that you made that you can infuse into this weekend?

“I think Alexa [Markley] came in and did a great job. She’s been working really hard in practice. She’s been in a position where I keep telling her to be ready to play outside or right-side. She’s really flexible and eager to play, so I think she came in and did a great job. I thought we served a lot tougher in sets three, four, and five. I thought we started doing some things defensively that were non-existent in the first two sets.”

How were you guys able to adjust from Ohio State and come back here to play Illinois?

“We tell the team every day, ‘Every team is going to want to beat you and is competitive in this conference.’ I think that’s something that they’re probably tired of hearing, but I think it’s something that we have to talk about all the time, just to be prepared. We talk about having to win at home and to steal some matches on the road. I know they were excited to be back here at home, in front of their home crowd, and, obviously, in their throwback jerseys, and all of that. It was exciting. We had a great crowd. There’s no place like Rec Hall. For them to be able to be back here, and feeling not great about the loss at Ohio State, but a little bit more positive with their play at the end of the match.”

What stands out to you about Nebraska? What have you told the newcomers about the environment out there?

“I think everyone’s well aware of the environment there, but I think it’s different when you actually play instead of just seeing photos and seeing it on TV. I think the team’s fired up. We have to have a couple good days of practice here before we head out Thursday evening. I think we’re at the point in the season where they know that every weekend is a turning point here for us. We need to win matches and be playing much better volleyball than we have. I think Sunday we played a great game. Katie Clark came in and did some good stuff. Everyone has a mentality of getting better every day in practice and helping each other out.”

Kash Williams and Zoe Weatherington have a lot of experience, but what’s it like seeing them develop as veteran players?

“I think freshmen through seniors, we put it on them a lot to get better. I think that they’re great leaders in their own way. They’re great teammates. They want to win. Kash, Leisa [Elisaia], and Katie Clark, this is their last run, so I think they’re really seeing that and feeling that now and embracing it, knowing that they can really contribute and help the team.”

How important is it to take advantage of those home matches like the past two Sundays against Michigan State and Illinois?

“Like I said, winning at home is huge. The girls, I think after the Michigan match, they kind of realized that we have to step to it and make changes quicker and take advantage of being at home, because it’s hard to win on the road in this conference. I think they’ve embraced playing here at Rec Hall.”

You’ve talked about how Alexa has been developing. How have the more veteran players been able to help her and the other players on the team as well?

“I think Alexa has great energy, and I think people want to play with her. That part of it is easy. She works hard in practice. The older players see that, and they want her to do well. It’s good to see. They’re great teammates.”

What stands out about Nebraska’s offense?

“They’re big, physical. I think Nebraska’s a great team. That’s a great atmosphere. Everything about it is tradition and winning. We get one shot at them this year, and we’ll be prepared.”

How are you preparing for Nebraska’s defense?

“Our attackers have to do some film and work on having a better range of attacking, not just hitting the same shot. We’ve been talking about that and showing them film and working on those things. I think it’s just getting comfortable in practice working with Leisa to be able to have some different shots, and not just running the same plays over and over. I think that’s something that we’ll definitely focus on.”

What’s your message to the team going to be with the short turnaround from Friday to Saturday?

“We haven’t done a Friday-Saturday in a while. I think that’s all part of practice, conditioning. I think the team has been working hard in the weight room. Those are all things that have to come into play. We have to give our best both nights to be successful. I mean, Iowa’s a very good team, too. I know their record doesn’t say so, but, man, they’re competing and giving teams a lot of problems. We’ll have to take it one match at a time, but be focused for both.”

What are some things you like to do on a flight to an away match?

“This will be a longer flight, so I’ll do film. I watch Netflix. I’ll usually throw on a show or sometimes pass out. It’s quiet time when we travel.”

What’s your advice to the players going into matches like Nebraska?

“To embrace it and to be present. To enjoy it. There’s nothing like college sports. You only get a couple chances to play in these venues and against these great teams. We want to be as prepared as we can, but I also want them to play loose and to enjoy it, because you never know when your last match is going to be.”

Cassie Kuerschen

What are some things you’ve learned from the coaches and other defensive specialists that have helped you improve?

“There have been a lot. I think just learning how to stay calm and confident and work on my mental game. We’ve definitely worked a lot on being very mentally focused every single rep, so that’s been a huge game-changer for me.”

How important are those lessons in big matches like this one coming up against Nebraska?

“Yeah, it’s definitely big to stay focused. There are so many distractions, so the ability to stay focused is very important. The coaches stay on me to do that during practice, and it really helps during games, too.”

How were you introduced to volleyball?

“I grew up in a big sports family, so I think I played every single sport that I possibly could. I was playing volleyball and basketball because I hated all the other sports, and I fell in love with volleyball right away. It was just one of those sports that you try out as a kid and you end up really enjoying.”

What’s your main focus heading into this weekend?

“I think just being ready to compete and doing the best we can. Focusing on the little things and getting better in practice, then converting what we learned in practice into the games, too.”

What are some things that you’ve improved upon since arriving on campus?

“I think my whole game has improved, especially mentally. Like I said, staying focused and not taking any reps off. And just the confidence in being a more put-together athlete, I think.”

What stands out to you about the freshmen defensive specialists, Gillian Grimes and Mandi Morioka?

“They’re awesome. They’re really good. We’ve been impressed with them since the day they came on campus. I think Gill has done a great job and so has Mandi. They’re both super confident and great players.”

How do you try to communicate different lessons to those freshmen to help them play better?

“I think they do better just being pushed to compete. If we’re competing against each other, that’s where they learn best is on the court. I mean, you can talk to them, but it’s more just playing. Actions speak louder than words.”

What’s your relationship like with Maddy Bilinovic and Quinn Menger?

“Quinn and I, especially, are really close. Maddy and I are close, too, but Quinn and I live together, so we’re together all the time. I feel like Maddy and my relationship has grown a lot this year, too. The whole team’s relationship has grown. I’m really close with everybody, but especially Quinn.”

How important is that chemistry as the season continues on in Big Ten play?

“Yeah, I think it’s super important. I think it’s shown a lot in our play this year, because we’re a really tight-knit group, even more than last year. I think it’s definitely helped our play, and our trust in each other is much greater, so that helps, too.”

What did you guys think of the new black and pink uniforms on Sunday?

“We thought they were cool. We were a little skeptical at first, but once we won in them, we really liked them. Maddy definitely needs a pink one.”

What goes through your head before a serve?

“Just get it in and good errors. That’s something the coaching staff has been huge on is not making silly errors in the net. At least, get it over the net and make them have to decide whether they play it or not. So yeah, good errors and be confident.”

What do your family and friends think about Tennessee football’s 5-0 start to the season?

“Oh, they’re excited. After every Saturday, the whole family group chat is just football, football, football. They’re excited to take on Alabama this week. I think they’re all going to it, so they’re excited.”

What have you been working on most in practice?

“I think my serve receive and just staying still and not getting so excited and moving around so much. Just making it as simple as possible.”

What are some things you like to do on a flight to an away match?

“I usually sleep or study. Those are the main two things I do.”