Katie Schumacher-Cawley and senior libero Gillian Grimes represented Penn State women’s volleyball during Sunday’s AVCA First Serve press conferences at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, site of their match Monday versus Kansas at 6:30 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network.

While answering a question about her team’s leadership Sunday, Grimes confirmed that she, senior middle blocker Jordan Hopp, and sophomore outside hitter Emmi Sellman were named Penn State’s captains for the 2025 season. All three played significant roles in the Nittany Lions’ sweep of Creighton in Saturday’s season opener at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Grimes tied the match high with 15 digs and had two of Penn State’s seven service aces, while Hopp, playing in front of dozens of friends and family in her home state of Nebraska, had 10 kills and hit .562 in the win. Sellman arrived on campus in January and quickly proved herself as a strong leader, helping her earn the rare distinction of sophomore captain. She had seven kills, seven digs, three blocks, and an assist (on match point) in her Penn State debut Saturday.

The full transcript of Schumacher-Cawley’s and Grimes’ comments can be found below. The Jayhawks beat Vanderbilt in five sets in the Saturday match prior to Penn State’s tilt with the Bluejays. Penn State came back from down 22-18 in the third set and staved off two set points, then a Caroline Jurevicius/Maggie Mendelson double block and Jurevicius kill closed out the sweep.

Fresh off their first win of the 2025 season in Lincoln, @PennStateVBALL is back tonight for game ✌️ in Sioux Falls! But first, practice 😎 pic.twitter.com/1B0dmWQDZy

— AVCA (@AVCAVolleyball) August 25, 2025

Katie Schumacher-Cawley

Coming into the [Sanford] Pentagon, fresh off of a match yesterday, what’s it like to get this preseason [competition] in against some great opponents?

“It’s been a great experience for this group so far. We’re really excited to be here and to play in a different arena and to showcase our skills and just help grow the game.”

How do you feel an event like this helps to grow the game, as you just mentioned?

“We’ve never been here before. We have one player, [Gabrielle] Nichols, who used to live here. I think, just to be in a different atmosphere, around a different group of younger kids, and showing them a little bit about Penn State, and just meeting as many people as we can. This is a new area for us. I know volleyball has really grown here in the last couple years. Hopefully, we can show some young girls what we do and encourage them to keep playing.”

What are your first impressions of Sioux Falls and South Dakota?

“It’s beautiful. It’s absolutely beautiful. Actually, one of my former teammates from Penn State lives here, Ashley (Pederson) Buckley, and I’m excited to see her. She’s going to stop by practice. It’s a beautiful area, and we enjoyed walking around a lot this morning.”

For someone who hasn’t watched a Penn State match or hasn’t seen you guys in person, what do they need to know about the Nittany Lions?

“I think that we play pretty hard. Our team likes to have fun. I think they’re great teammates, and they get pretty excited on the floor.”

As the defending national champions, playing against some tough opponents, what’s it like coming into this season with that?

“I think all of our matches are pretty tough, and I think it prepares us for our Big Ten season. This is only going to help us get better this preseason. We’re learning as we go, and every match really matters, and it’s going to help us in the long run.”

This seats a little over 3,000 people. What’s it like coaching in those big environments?

“It’s exciting. I mean, if you can’t get excited about that, you’re crazy. But, no, we look forward to having some of our fans here, and hopefully getting some new fans along the way.”

Throughout your career leading up to this, things change all the time. What would you say is something that has stayed the same for you throughout your coaching career?

“I think I’m pretty consistent in who I am and who I want to be. I think it’s more of, I care a lot about my players and want the best for them on and off the court, and really want them to be successful.”

Heading into the season, obviously, high hopes with what you guys have done in the past and looking into the future. What’s something about your team that the world doesn’t really know that you would like them to know more about?

“That’s a great question. I think that they’re all really special young ladies and are going to do great things in this world outside of volleyball, and they’re really passionate about what they’re studying. We have a little bit of everything on the team, and I’m really proud of what they’re going to do outside of the court, and who they are in the community.”

What are you most hoping to get out of an event like this? Obviously, a couple wins. 

“A couple wins, for sure. But I think just a great experience for these players, and to [continue] working on what we need to do. The more you play, the more we can see, and get better in some areas.”

What were some of the main positive takeaways from the Creighton win for you?

“I think that we showed some grit in the third set and found a way to win. Everyone contributed. I know that’s something we talk about all the time, that it’s going to take all 18 players to contribute to the success. And I thought we did a good job of that last night.”

We saw Addie [Lyon] and Joce [Nathan] get into the match a little bit. What impressed you about them?

“I think that they’re always ready to go. I thought Addie did a great job, came in and served aggressively, and played some defense. It’s something she does every day in practice. I think both of them are ready to go and do a great job.”

How would you assess the play of your middle blockers last night? Obviously, Jordan [Hopp] had a really nice night.

“I thought our middles played really well. We passed well. They worked hard in transition, and Izzy [Starck] did a great job setting them.”

What were some of the things you noticed about Kansas when you had a chance to watch their match [versus Vanderbilt]?

“I’ve known Matt [Ulmer] for a while, and all his teams play hard. I know they’ll be ready to compete against us. I think, defensively, they do some nice things, and we’ll have to play well to beat them.”

Ava Martin is probably one of the better outside hitters you guys will play this season. What stood out about her and what do you guys need to do to try and shut down players like her?

“Players like that are going to find a way to score, so I think it’s just containing everyone else, and making sure that we’re handling what we can on our side. Great players will score, and you have to slow down everyone else.”

Gillian Grimes

It’s about 3,000 capacity here [at the Sanford Pentagon]. What’s it like playing in those environments?

“I think we just feed off of the energy and feed off of the fans, so we’re really excited to play in front of a new crowd and a new facility.”

Another ranked opponent early. How important is it to play some great talent early in the season?

“I think it really gives us an advantage, especially because we play in the Big Ten, and it’s great volleyball. So I think playing highly ranked opponents is really good for us, especially in the beginning of the season.”

How does an event like this help to grow the game?

“It’s great to see a bunch of new people in the facility and just coming to this new event. I think it’s really fun for our team and other girls, too. So I think it’s really good for volleyball in general.”

What’s the outlook for the team this season coming in as the reigning national champions?

“I think it’s really just focusing on that we’re a new team, and we brought a lot of new players on the court. So I think just trying to settle in and figure out what we want to do as a team, and definitely, there is pressure, but I think when you come to Penn State, there’s always going to be pressure. So I think just figuring out what we want to do as a team.”

What’s it been like off the court figuring that out?

“I think we try and always hang out, either go [get] coffee or go to restaurants. [We’re] just trying to build that chemistry off the court, so we know what girls want on and off the court, too.”

It’s a lot of travel early on. How has that helped [bring you all together] so far?

“I think it’s really good, getting to know people as we travel, on the plane, or even just rooming with them in the hotel. So I think that’s been really fun and really exciting.”

Coming to this [Sioux Falls] area, what are your thoughts of it?

“I’ve never been here. We walked around, and we saw a little bit of the Falls, so that was really cool. But people have been really nice here, too.”

It’s your senior year. You’ve had a ton of success. A lot has changed since you started playing volleyball. What would you say is something that’s stayed the same for you in your game?

“I would say, probably, my mindset, and me, in general, just being really competitive how I play. I think I’ve always thrived off of my teammates, wanting to be really competitive, and the winning atmosphere. So coming to Penn State, I kind of just fit in with all those aspects.”

Going into a match like you are [Monday against Kansas], there is obviously going to be a lot of intensity and energy in the building. How have you found a way to keep your composure, keep yourself calm, and your teammates calm with all the excitement going on?

“I think really focusing on the little things, and just having the confidence that I am a great player, and I have great players beside me. So I think really just focusing on my team, and what we can do on our side of the court.”

What were some of the most enjoyable moments of last night’s [match versus Creighton] for you?

“I think our block did a great job. I think they really kept us in there, hyped up the crowd, hyped up the team, so I think they [did] a phenomenal job last night.”

Jordan [Hopp] had a lot of family there in attendance. She played very well for you guys. What stood out about her performance?

“Jo did great yesterday. Those slides were just unreal, really. And, also, the touches she got, it made it really easy for me to play defense, too.”

How would you assess the play of your backcourt yesterday?

“Yeah, I thought I did a pretty good job. Passing was pretty consistent. And, again, my block in front of me did a really good job, so I made it really easy.”

You guys served pretty consistently last night. How important will that be moving forward?

“If we’re able to get the team out of system, that will help our block and our defense so much, so just ripping after it on the end line.”

What were some of the challenges that [Creighton’s] Ava Martin presented for you guys?

“I think she did a really good job hitting off our block, so we kind of had to adjust to make sure that middle back stayed deep for those high balls. But, then again, she’s a really good player, and it was hard to shut her down.”

Several newcomers made nice impacts last night in Kennedy [Martin], Addie [Lyon], and Emmi [Sellman]. What stood out about their play?

“I think they did a phenomenal job, and I’m really happy that they’re Penn Staters. But, I think, just all around, they stay composed and really helped, did everything to help the team.”

What’s some of your advice for your younger players as you head into the next part of the season?

“I think just have fun, be confident. Just have fun with your teammates out there, because they really can help you.”

What are some of the biggest things that you learned about the team during training camp?

“I think that we’re a really competitive team. So just knowing that we’re going to go out there every game and give our best shot. So really just focus on our side of the court, and we can beat a lot of people.”

Izzy [Starck] had some pretty nasty assists last night. What impressed you about those?

“Yeah, I mean, Izzy impresses me every time she steps on the court, so I don’t really expect anything less from her. But, yeah, she just stayed composed and did a really good job.”

The offense was pretty consistent and hit at a high level, then kind of tailed off a little bit in that third set [against Creighton]. How important will it be to keep hitting at a high rate?

“Yeah, I think if we focus in the backcourt and get the ball to Izzy, she can really run a great offense. So I think it really starts with the pass or the defense. So if we can do our job back there, she can do a really good job of setting up the play.”

You guys had some really nice comebacks in that third set and showed some resiliency. How [crucial] will that be this season?

“That’s huge throughout the whole season, especially when we get into Big Ten season, but also, throughout the preseason. So I think if we just stay composed and really dial in together, we can do some great things.”

What are some things you want to work on in your game?

“I think, definitely, I can always get better on my out-of-system plays, just because, if Izzy digs the first ball, or whomever, I want to make sure that I can put up a pretty good ball for my hitters.”

How would you say your team’s leadership is coming along?

“I think it’s been really good. We have me, Emmi [Sellman], and Jordan [Hopp] as captains, but a lot of people on our team stepped into big roles, because we lost a few players. But I think we’ve been doing a pretty good job, and it showed yesterday, too.”

For fans who haven’t seen you guys play in person, what are you hoping to leave them with?

“I think just the energy that we bring out to the court. Altogether, we play this sport, and we want to have fun with it, so if we can make a few people in the crowd smile and have a good time, that’s our goal.”

Did you guys have a chance to watch some of the Kansas match yesterday before yours?

“Yeah, a little bit in the locker room.”

What stands out about [the Jayhawks] on film?

“I thought they were really scrappy, and their hitters did a really good job. They kind of mix up their shots a lot. So I think it will be a really good game for us, defensively.

What have you noticed about [Cristin] Cline on film?

“We played her last year at Oregon. I think she’s a great setter who moves the ball around a lot, so I’m excited to see the matchup between her and Izzy.”

What’s your message for the team heading into tomorrow?

“I think, if we just stay composed, and really just focus on our side of the net and serve aggressively, and then put up a good block, we can be good.”