The Penn State women’s volleyball program held its fourth weekly media availability of the 2025 season Tuesday afternoon before practice at Rec Hall.

The Nittany Lions (4-3) swept Bucknell last Tuesday at Rec Hall in the first meeting between the two PA programs since 2000, a match Katie Schumacher-Cawley played in as a redshirt junior at the time. Penn State also won that match, part of the Longhorn Classic in Austin, Texas, in straight sets.

Since the latest match against Bucknell fell on a Tuesday, the day Penn State volleyball typically holds its weekly press conferences, and because the team had the day off Wednesday, there was no media availability last week outside of Schumacher-Cawley, Maggie Mendelson, and Gabrielle Nichols’ postgame comments.

Schumacher-Cawley, junior defensive specialist Jocelyn Nathan, and freshman outside hitter Alexis Ewing spoke on behalf of the Nittany Lions this Tuesday. The full transcript of questions and answers can be found below. Penn State hosts Pitt (7-2) in a big in-state rivalry match Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network.

Nathan is celebrating her 21st birthday the day of the Pitt match. The Wilmington, Delaware, native has been a steady contributor in the backcourt for the Nittany Lions again as a junior after a breakout season last fall. She shared what it means to her to represent her home state and show girls who play volleyball there that they can make it to the Division I and Big Ten level.

Ewing and new starting setter Addie Lyon were the last two members of the 2025 Penn State volleyball roster to arrive on campus this summer, joining their teammates for open gyms in June. Ewing made her collegiate debut against TCU and has played in each match since then, making her first career start against Bucknell. Ewing has 16 kills and is hitting .294 in eight sets played heading into the Pitt match.

Katie Schumacher-Cawley

What makes Pitt’s team so good?

“Top to bottom, I think they’re a great team. They play hard. Obviously, Olivia [Babcock] is very good and a high-level player, but I think she has some great pieces around her. I think [Brooke] Mosher, their setter, is doing much better, and looks way more comfortable than she did the first couple matches. They compete hard. I think they’re pretty well-balanced.”

Last season, you played Pitt [on the road] and were swept. How nice does it feel to have the home-court advantage this time?

“We are so happy to be back in Rec Hall. Not only this match, but this weekend, next weekend, and moving forward. I think the team is feeling good about being back and getting in the routine here, handling their classwork, and being able to get the extra work in that they need to do to prepare for these teams.”

Is there anything that you guys did off the court in the last eight days to, I don’t want to say reset, but get ready for Pitt?

“Like I said, I think being at home is really good. The team had some time over the weekend. They [went] to the football game. So, I think, for them to be able to enjoy campus and each other, and not just in the gym, is really special. It’s a great group. I’m proud of what they’re doing and who they are, but I know they’re focused to get back to winning and playing well.”

The team has had to overcome a lot of adversity during the first seven matches of the season. How are you making sure the team stays on-course on the goal this year?

“We’ve played five teams in the top 10, or whatever it is right now. I think it’s good for the team to experience that, and, obviously, very challenging, but it will prepare us for Big Ten play. I think all of these preseason matches are great for this group, and we’ll continue to show what we need to work on and continue to get some other players moving along faster.”

What are some things that Addie [Lyon] does that impress you, just from a pure setter standpoint?

“I think Addie is a great leader. She has great experience. It’s nothing that surprises me. She sets the middles well. I think she’s been working really hard with the pin hitters and back-row attack to make sure we have the right tempo and right balance with that. So, I think she’s been doing a great job, and doing all the things that she’s done before. She gets extra reps and watches film. She’s a great teammate, and these players have really rallied around her.”

There were a couple times where you guys have subbed out Addie for an additional blocker to gain height up front. Should we expect to continue seeing that?

“Yeah, it’s definitely something we’ll do if we need to maybe side-out a little bit quicker. Obviously, Addie is a little bit small at the net, but I think she puts herself in a good position for defense to play behind her, so she does a good job. If we have the subs, we’ll continue to do that, and find a way to score some more points.”

How confident are you in your blockers being able to stop Pitt’s offense?

“Olivia [Babcock] will score. She’s a great player, and she’ll find ways. I think it’s just being able to slow down everyone else and create our own points, and being able to serve tough and aggressive. It’s something we’ve been working on. We need to be able to score some points from the end line. We have the players who can do it. I think it’s just building that confidence and feeling comfortable serving aggressive.”

The rotation with Gill [Grimes], “Juice” [Nathan], and Ava [Falduto] all in the back row, what makes that good and what makes it fun? Because they seem to love it.

“They’re fearless. They fly around back there, they’re super aggressive, and they’re fun to watch. They don’t like to see any balls fall.”

Joce [Nathan] mentioned that Lexi [Gin] is from Munciana [Volleyball]. A lot of their products tend to have a certain personality and are very prepared. What stands out about that club in general? Obviously, Jonni [Parker] and Kendall [White] are from there.

“I think it’s been a great club from the beginning of time. They’re trained well. She’s similar to all the DS’s we have right now in just being really aggressive, and being able to play all three positions. Lexi has a great serve. She was a little injured the last couple weeks, but she’s feeling good. She’ll come in and dig and serve. She’s available to go. She just has a great attitude and great energy.”

What’s your relationship like with Coach [Arielle] Wilson? What will it be like to have her back here [with Central Michigan]?

“Oh, I’m so excited. Well, my relationship with her is that I recruited her to play at UIC, University of Illinois Chicago, when I was first coaching. I actually did get her on campus, so go ahead, put that in there. She took a visit. But, no, she’s a Chicago girl, and I’m so proud of her and happy for her. She’s really excited to come back here and to see everyone. I know she’s really enjoying her new position and the group that she’s with.”

Kennedy [Martin] seems to be super humble off the court. What’s it been like getting to know her?

“She’s so great. She’s so fun. She’s pretty entertaining. She’s really fun to be around, and she works really hard. I think she’s so happy here, and we’re working to get her better. She needs to be a better blocker, and she knows that. She’s really focused on getting better at her skills and helping the team. She’s a total team player.”

Are there any traits you see in Caroline and Ava [Jurevicius], and now Alexis [Ewing], that you think could come from their parents being former professional athletes?

“Yeah, I mean, they’ve seen it at a high level. I think Alexis is pretty quiet, but super aggressive, and she asks great questions in practice, and always wants to learn and get better. But, yeah, they want to win, and they want to put themselves in the best position to be successful. Anything we ask them to do, they’re all over it. So, I think it’s just the ability to get better, to do more, and to take care of their bodies.”

Going off of that, there are a good amount of NBA players whose daughters play(ed) volleyball in college.

“We got the best one [laughs].”

Is there any sort of reasoning for volleyball over basketball that you know of, or any correlation to that?

“You would have to ask Lexi [Ewing] that, but I don’t think she liked basketball growing up. Volleyball was her thing. But her mom played volleyball, so I think she was exposed to both sports. But, yeah, no, I don’t know. I’m glad she plays volleyball.”

What do you recall about watching Patrick Ewing play growing up?

“Obviously, I’m a [Chicago] Bulls fan, but he was a pretty special player, and it’s so neat to know him as a dad, and see him support Lexi in the best way. He’s super enjoyable to be around. Obviously, my three daughters think he’s so cool, too, because they saw him in The Last Dance. Probably not super age-appropriate, but I let them watch it. It was during COVID. But he was in that, training with [Michael] Jordan. My kids just think it’s so cool. He’s a great guy, great dad, and super supportive.”

He was here at [Rec Hall] for her first start [against Bucknell]. What was that like?

“Yeah, it was great. We didn’t know we were going to start Lexi until warm-ups. Like I said, she’s always ready to go. For him to see that, I know he’s super proud of her, and whether she plays or not, really supportive, and knows that she’s working really hard.”

Jess [Mruzik] played in every match last year. Is there anything that you took away from her performance down the stretch that you’re kind of using for Kennedy [Martin], because you rested her last week [against Bucknell]?

“Yeah, it’s a long season. Kennedy takes a lot of swings, so if we have an opportunity to let her rest once in a while, we’ll do that. I think it’s just part of the game and taking care of your body. It’s being able to do all the extra things to help yourself off the court, and Kennedy is really aware of that, and does a great job. She needed a little bit of a break. We’re alright with that.”

Speaking of Jess, where does her tournament last year rank in the all-time individual performances that you’ve seen over the years?

“Oh, gosh, I think that was one of the best performances I’ve seen in a long time. From a team, collectively, but for one individual to take over a certain part of a match was really impressive. It was great having her back with Cam [Hannah] and Quinn [Menger] two weekends ago, and kind of reliving the stories of the Final Four. It was great. It was awesome.”

Emmi [Sellman] seems to be a little more consistent the last few matches. What have you seen from her to be able to accomplish that?

“I think Emmi’s really starting to settle in a bit. We keep her on the floor because she can pass. I think [her] being able to attack out of the back row helps us a lot as well. So, I think she’s just finding her footing, and she’s getting more comfortable and more aggressive. She’s working really hard.”

What have you continued to like from Gabrielle [Nichols’] play?

“Well, I think she is a really special player, and she is really coachable. She wants to be the best. I think, defensively, she will be one of the best blockers. Her game is coming along so fast. We want to get her scoring a little bit more, but, defensively, she’s one of the best blockers on the team. She’s always going to be the first sub who we need, whether it’s on the right side or back in the middle. She’s really flexible, and all she wants to do is help the team. She is a joy to have around.”

What’s Izzy [Starck’s] current status with her being removed from the online roster recently?

“Like I said [after the Kentucky match], we’re going to respect her privacy. She needs to take some time off for herself. She knows that we support her all the way.”

Going back to Pitt, you guys played them in the spring. Have you reviewed a little bit of the film from that match, or are you just focused on the film from Pitt [so far this season]?

“I watched all of the matches, but a lot of it will be from the most recent couple matches. But, sure, we did do some good things in the spring against them. It’s the same kind of group. We’re just training them hard. I think, defensively, we need to be better. Yeah, so, some of the stuff [from] the spring, but I think, more so, for the team, we try not to give them too many things. So, it’s been the last couple matches of Pitt.”

What stands out about Bre Kelley to you?

“When she’s healthy, she’s a really special player. She’s aggressive, she’s fast. She finds ways to score. We need to maybe keep her off the net a little bit and serve tough. Like I said, [Pitt] has a couple really great players who will score some points. It’s us being able to slow down everyone else and generate some of our own points.”

What has it been like seeing the Penn State-Pitt [volleyball] rivalry evolve over the years? Obviously, two really high-caliber programs.

“I think it’s great. Last year, in the Final Four, who would have thought [there would be] two Pennsylvania teams? We’ve come a long way, Pennsylvania, but it’s great. I love it. I think it’s great to have another school close to us that’s ranked, and we can play mid-week and let the fans and the people of Pennsylvania weigh in on it.”

Do you expect to play Pitt at least once per season moving forward?

“Yeah, I hope so. I hope we can continue to do that. I would love to.”

Jocelyn Nathan

What are your thoughts on [Rec Hall’s] new Taraflex court?

“I like it. I like that it looks exactly like the old floor. I’m not a huge fan of what it looks like underneath now, but it is really nice. It’s a lot nicer to dive on, for sure.”

How nice was it to rest up for a week heading into the Pitt match?

“Super good. I think, just after, obviously, the emotional turmoil all of us have been on, I think it was really nice to have a bit of a break, and be able to reconnect as a team and one unit. And I think a lot of us are really excited for this Pitt game, an in-state battle, on our court this time. It’s just been nice to recharge and be ready for this.”

What makes Pitt’s team as good as it is?

“I think they are just a very fundamental team. They play a different style than a lot of other teams, and it’s a very, I would say, masculine style. That’s just how they coach and how they’re trained. So, it’s kind of fun to play against, just because it’s a faster tempo, and faster balls are obviously coming your way, but it’s easier to track once you kind of get a hold of it. So, I’m excited. I think they’re a very well-organized team and very fundamental team.”

What impresses you about Olivia Babcock?

“I mean, a lot of things. She just seems like a good person, but yeah, her play is just very impressive in itself. She has a very unique way of approaching to the ball, and think it catches a lot of defenders lacking, a lot of blockers lacking. And I’m just excited [to see] what our block and what our defense can do against her.”

You [mentioned] emotional turmoil. How are you overcoming that and just focusing on the play?

“Yeah, I think just recognizing that the 17 of us who are left here all have the same goal. That doesn’t change no matter who’s on the court or who’s not on the team or whatever. I think we’re still kind of trying to realize that, but I think being able to have team events in the wake of that, and coming to practice every day as one, or just extra reps to get more confident in what we’ve got here. It hasn’t really been that hard to adjust, I would say.”

How excited are you and your teammates for the atmosphere [at Rec Hall] tomorrow [versus Pitt]?

“I’m really excited. I really hope that it’s similar to the Kentucky game, because that was awesome. Last year, going to Pitt, I mean, that was a crazy game. I was hearing stuff for, like, three days after because it was so loud. I really hope that this place can be like that, too. I know a lot of students are really excited to come, and it’s my birthday, so I’m excited.”

You guys played against Pitt in one of your spring matches. Have you looked over that film or are you just focused on Pitt right now?

“I think a lot of us have looked over it just to see hitter tendencies and different serves, but they do have a lot of new people who weren’t there in the spring. But we did a lot of good things, I think, in the spring match [against them]. We tried a lot of different lineups, but I don’t think there’s any reason why we couldn’t have won that pretty handily with whatever lineup we had. So, it’s nice, as far as building confidence, to watch it back and be able to see the good things that we did against them, but also, learning from some of the plays we didn’t pick up.”

When you’re in the back row with Gillian [Grimes] and Ava [Falduto], what does that mean to you to have all three of you back there, and how does that help you guys defensively?

“That’s probably my favorite rotation. We don’t do it as much this year, but definitely last year, that was all three of our favorite rotation, just because we have a very good understanding of where the other two are going to be. Typically, not many balls drop, because we know exactly whose ball is [whose]. We don’t even have to say anything, we just go. And it’s a lot of fun to fly around in the back with them. I think it brings  a different level of intensity to the court, even if it’s just one rotation or half a rotation. But it’s just fun to play with them. They’re fantastic volleyball players and people.”

What are some things you think you’ve improved the most since you stepped on campus? What are you still working on?

“I’d say I’ve improved the most from a leadership standpoint. I know we have a lot of younger girls this year, or newcomers. Half the team is newcomers, so just being able to step up and make sure that they feel confident going in, no matter what, or if they’re [coming off the bench] cold, I’ve been there, too. I know how they feel in that [situation], so that’s been a help for me. And then, as far as improving, there are a lot of technical skills that I’m always working to improve. I wouldn’t say that I’m 100 percent, or even 80 percent there, in any category. So, I think just continuing to give what I have, and realizing that it might not be great improvements in that moment, but it’s going to get there.”

With all the changes on the team, have you or anyone else stepped up more as leaders?

“I think we all kind of have our own way of contributing to being a leader. I’d say I probably noticed the most in Ava Falduto. I think she’s just a very stable person, on and off the court. She’s always very energetic and always the first person to offer to take people to the airport if they’re trying to get home, or offer to help them if they’re not feeling well, or something like that. So, I think from that standpoint, I would say she’s probably stepped up the most, even just from last year, with being that kind of person to turn to, for everyone.”

There have been multiple times this year where Lexi [Gin] has come in and served. How have you helped her to be ready for those moments?

“Honestly, we don’t need to do much for her. She’s a Munciana kid. They’re a different breed, and they definitely invoke a lot of confidence in their players, and she embodies that. She’s a great player, and she worked really hard. So, I think, if she makes a mistake or something, which rarely happens, when she comes off, ‘Whatever. You’ve got the next one.’ And I think she knows that, so half the time, we don’t really have to say anything. She’s going to be a star, for sure.”

What does it mean to you to be an [example] for volleyball players from Delaware and show them that they can compete at the [Division I] level?

“Delaware, I always say, is part of my why. Because a lot of the kids who are from there don’t have that many local places where they can go [to play volleyball]. I had to drive an hour to club practice every day. Even at my club in King of Prussia, not that many people go really high-level. I’m pretty sure I’m the only one from Delaware to ever go to the Big Ten for volleyball, which is really cool, but it’s also really sad, because there’s a lot of potential there. So, I think, just being able to go home and have people realize that they can get there, because I never knew that I could come to a place like this, has been a huge reason for why I keep pushing here.”

What are some things the team enjoys most about playing with Addie [Lyon]?

“I think just her calmness. She is very mature, and she’s a fun person play with, but she also works really hard every single day. You know exactly what you’re going to get with her. She’s very level-headed and, even if something is stressing her out, she’s not going to let you know about it, really. She’s just going to work through it. So, it’s very fun to play with her, and I’m really excited for people to see more of what she brings, because she has so much that she shows in practice that I’m waiting for her to unlock in the game.”

Alexis [Ewing] has played a decent amount to start her freshman year. What has stood out about her play so far?

“She can touch, like, 11 feet. She hits over pretty much every single one of our blockers, and they’re not a small block, that’s for sure. She just elevates everything. I think she takes advantage when she’s put in, and it’s tough, because sometimes she gets put in right at the end of games, and she still swings. I think this program is built on people who are just going to swing no matter what, and that’s who she is. I’m excited to see her grow and take a little bit more charge vocally as well.”

I noticed you guys were working on serve-receive over there [before practice]. How important will that be against Pitt tomorrow?

“You win games with serving and passing, so, this is every day for us, and it has to be every day. There have definitely been games where we’ve lost in the serve-and-pass game, but our fun-size group has said to each other, ‘If we don’t get the pass, they’re not going to get a kill.’ We have tried to take charge of making sure that, even if the coaches aren’t with us, we’re getting in the gym, and making it as easy on our hitters as possible, and as easy on Addie as possible, now, to transition to get her off the net.”

Other than serving, what other adjustments have you been working on lately heading into tomorrow?

“Mostly, blocking, I would say. And setting up defense around the block. I think we kind of know that the majority [of swings] is going to go to [Olivia] Babcock. And how do we set up around that so we can get blocks? But, also, if they don’t get the block, we can still get the dig. I would say blocking has probably been our main focus for the last couple weeks.”

We see Megan [Hodge Easy] serving to the team [right now]. What does having that kind of hitter as a coach do for you guys in practice?

“Megan is one of the people who you just have so much respect for. You’re always going to listen to what she says, because she’s so well-accomplished and so knowledgeable. She could probably say the most obscure thing, and you would listen to it. I think just having her, Mike [Henchy, Katie [Schumacher-Cawley], and Brian [Toron] be that knowledge for us, even if they’re not saying anything, has helped grow players to know what they’re doing wrong, without them having to say anything at all. So, even just having them in the gym in general, with us, I think has been coaching in itself.”

Kennedy [Martin] seems to be really humble. What’s it been like getting to know her off the court?

“She’s awesome. She’s a lot different than I imagined, but probably one of the cutest people I’ve ever met. I wouldn’t say she’s the loudest person in the room, but when she talks, you just want to listen to her. She’s very wise and very mature. I think she’s definitely what this team needed this year.”

Alexis Ewing

You made your first start the other day. How was that experience?

“Honestly, really, really great. My teammates made me feel really supported. I didn’t feel nervous at all, which was really surprising, because I didn’t [know] I was going to start until hitting lines, so just knowing that all my teammates had my back was really nice. And I was really confident in how I was playing, and I didn’t feel any nerves, which was great. So, overall, a really good experience.”

What did it mean to have your dad, [Patrick Ewing], there for your first start?

“It was so great. I didn’t even know he was going to come until the day of, or the day before. So, it was great, because I know he’s always going have my back. I know the team has my back, but, obviously, it’s my dad, and he loves me to infinity. Just knowing that he was there was great. And I’m going to have both my parents here tomorrow [for the Pitt match]. So, that’s really exciting.”

Your mom, [Cheryl Weaver], coached you in high school [at the Bullis School in Potomac, Maryland]. What was that like getting to learn from her? She was obviously a very accomplished [volleyball] player.

“Ever since I was younger, I’ve always looked up to my mom. And her being my coach, at first, it was kind of annoying, because obviously it’s your mom, and your mom and your coach are such different people. So, it was definitely a rough start, especially in middle school, but as I started to grow older, there was kind of a mutual respect that we gave [each other]. ‘Obviously, you’re my mom, but I respect you as a coach, and I know that you know what’s best for me, and what’s best for this team.’ So, it was definitely just a mutual respect thing, and that’s what helped us go so strong and win the championship in high school.”

There have been [many] NBA players whose daughters have played volleyball instead of basketball. Do you think there is any sort of correlation to that?

“For me, I just looked up to my mom a lot. I tried basketball when I was in middle school, and I absolutely hated it. I didn’t like being touched, I didn’t like being pushed, and I would foul out every time, because I didn’t really know how to do it. So, I don’t know, just for me, basketball just wasn’t my thing. And I really enjoyed volleyball, and that’s what I was better at at the time, so I kind of just stuck with it.”

How excited are you about the Rec Hall atmosphere tomorrow for Pitt?

“I’m so excited. Especially during Kentucky, it was super-duper loud. I know this game is going to be even more packed. We have such an amazing student section, and I just know they’re going to make the other team really nervous. So, I’m excited.”

You and Gabrielle [Nichols] seem to be really close. What’s your relationship like with her?

“That’s my sister. We didn’t even get close until I got here, which was early June, I would say. And we had always kept in contact before, especially once I committed, since she committed before me. But our parents also know each other, so I feel like we just have so much in common that we have to get along. And she’s my roommate, so you have to like me, you have no choice. So, that’s really my best friend here, and I appreciate her so much, and I’m so grateful for her support. And I know that she always has my back, regardless of if I’m hard on myself or I feel like I’m doing [poorly], I know she’s always going to have something positive to say.”

What are some things you think you’ve improved the most [about your game] from when you first [arrived] on campus until now?

“Definitely in my confidence. When I got here and it was open gym, I felt really, really behind, and I was nervous that I was going to lag behind during the entire time, but I feel like I’ve definitely caught up a lot, and I’m able to compete with all of my teammates. They’ve definitely made me so much better, because it’s such a competitive environment, even during practice. So, I would say definitely in my confidence, especially because during the TCU game, I was super nervous. So, even from then, I feel like I’ve gotten way more confident.”

What are some things you’ve learned from the other pin hitters?

“Definitely my toolbox, because in high school and in club, I was like, ‘Let me just swing and get a kill.’ But there’s obviously so much more technicality to being a pin hitter, so definitely just having a bunch of shots in my toolbox, being ready for anything, and just being confident and knowing that the team has your back, and is going to cover you when you get blocked, because that’s just volleyball.”