Penn State women’s volleyball hosted an NCAA tournament selection show watch party Sunday night at Rec Hall, where players, staff, media, and the booster club saw the Nittany Lions earn a No. 4 seed in the top-right region of the bracket.
Penn State will host UMBC Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the first round of the tournament. It’s the first time since 2019 that the Nittany Lions will host opening weekend, as the 2020 tournament was conducted in a bubble in Omaha, Nebraska, and Penn State traveled to Pitt’s campus last season.
Once the 64-team field had been announced, head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley and graduate senior setter Seleisa Elisaia answered questions about Penn State’s regular season and NCAA tournament berth. Elisaia leads the Big Ten in total assists with 1,214, averaging 10.38 per set through 31 matches. She also has 262 digs, 88 kills, 82 total blocks, and 27 aces.
Elisaia and the rest of Penn State’s graduating senior class, including Kash Williams, Katie Clark, and Anastasiya Kudryashova, were recognized following the Nittany Lions’ 3-2 win over Purdue in the regular season finale at Rec Hall. Elisaia’s family gifted leis to the seniors and coaching staff, who took photos at midcourt after a touching montage played on the video board.
In Schumacher-Cawley’s first season as head coach of Penn State, she’s led the Nittany Lions (24-7, 13-7 Big Ten) to several impressive ranked wins over Stanford, Oregon, Minnesota, and Purdue (twice) heading into the tournament. Penn State remained No. 11 in this week’s AVCA rankings. The transcript of Schumacher-Cawley and Elisaia’s responses can be found below.
Katie Schumacher-Cawley
What was it like being here in Rec Hall with the team watching things unfold?
“It was great. It was nice to get the team together with playing [last] Friday and then being off on Saturday and all day today. I’m happy for the group. It’s nice to host. We’re lucky we’re in the position where we can host. It’s a brand new season.”
You routinely talk about embracing the moment and starting fast. How important is it for the team to be prepared and ready to go?
“I think, now, knowing who we’re going to play, we’ll be able to get a good start on what we want to do and how we can attack UMBC. It’s one match at a time. We’ll get to work tonight.”
What do you think are some of the strengths of this year’s team that have really stood out to you?
“I think their ability to fight through some matches. I think we won a couple really tough matches, and they didn’t quit and give up. I think just having the ability to bounce back between losing points. But we’ll have to get to work this week and be sharp on Friday.”
How did the difficult Big Ten schedule prepare this team for the NCAA tournament?
“Every match was a grind. I’m hopeful that that did prepare us, but I’m glad we have a couple days to work together.”
How have you seen the freshmen come along this season? What have they added to the team?
“I think all four of them have done a great job, even though some of them aren’t playing a ton. I think that they’ve gotten better in the gym and they’re working hard. They’re helping the team.”
Managing momentum and emotions is something you’re always talking about. What’s something you’re hoping to see in order for the team to be consistent?
“I’m hoping that it’s exciting for all of them, because a lot of them haven’t been in an NCAA tournament yet or had the ability to host. If you can’t get excited about that, then you have no business being here. But no, I know they’re excited to be home. It’s nice to be able to have their week here, so that they can get their school work taken care of and be prepared.”
What have you seen from the veteran leadership on this year’s team?
“I think everyone has stepped up. I think Leisa’s a great floor leader. I think Anjelina [Starck] has done a great job. I think Maddy [Bilinovic] and Allie [Holland] have been very vocal. Even someone like Quinn [Menger]. I think Quinn leads in different ways as well. I’m proud of all of the upperclassmen and how they’ve helped. They’ve helped everyone. Even Zoe [Weatherington]. Zoe’s been tremendous the last couple weeks. She’s been in the tournament before. I think she’s a great leader and works hard.”
How important is home-court advantage going to be this weekend?
“To be able to host in the tournament I think is really special. You’re comfortable in your own gym. We hope that it’s a good crowd for the teams coming in. You have to win at home.”
Having played in the NCAA tournament yourself, what kind of advice do you have for the players?
“To enjoy it. Because it’s hard. It’s hard to win. I said that to them during the season. Embrace being able to be at home. To see your name on the board is really special. To not take it for granted.”
Leisa Elisaia
What was this event like being with your teammates and watching the bracket be unveiled?
“It was pretty exciting. We were excited to see what the matchups were going to be. I think just coming together to watch it as a team was really exciting for us.”
What are you most looking forward to about being able to host here in front of your home fans? What will that home-court advantage be like for you guys?
“I think it’s going to make a huge difference. There’s no place like Rec Hall. We emphasize that all the time. I think that will give us a lot of momentum carrying onto wherever we end up next. We’re excited, especially because I don’t think any of these girls on the team have hosted in Rec Hall. It will be a special experience for all of us.”
What are some of the keys against UMBC that will be important in practice this week?
“I would say nothing really changes for our game. I think if we focus on controlling the game to our pace, stay aggressive with our serves, and pass at a high level, we’ll be okay.”
You’ve talked about the connection with your teammates. Managing runs and momentum throughout the match will be key. How are you managing that as a leader on the team?
“I would say, as a leader on the team, we just rely on each other to come together in between plays, those few seconds that we do have. That’s our time to look each other in the eyes and just be able to lean on each other. I think that will help us get those runs going.”
What was your senior night experience like? How would you describe playing for this program?
“It’s been a dream, honestly. It was awesome to even experience anything just for Penn State. I’m grateful for the time that I’ve had here, and I’m excited to finish it off in a great way.”
What’s your message going to be to your teammates heading into the tournament?
“I don’t think anything changes. Just have fun and be in the moment. That’s all we can do. I think if we stick together and enjoy what we’re doing, we’ll end up having a good time and we can make it pretty far.”
There are a lot of attackers who can really get going for you guys. What’s it like as a setter to have so many players who can contribute on offense?
“I think it’s a big game-changer for us, for sure. I’m able to just put the ball up to anyone and have confidence that they’ll put the ball away. I think it helps me a lot as far as distribution. I think, if our passers are still doing really well, that helps me out, too. Being able to spread out the offense will really help us out during this entire tournament.”
Where have you seen your game grow the most throughout this season?
“Personally, I would say defense. Coming in as a setter, you kind of emphasize the setting, obviously, but being able to defend really well in such a tough conference, I think that’s the biggest place I’ve stepped it up this year.”
How would you describe the play of your defensive specialists so far this season?
“They’ve been great. They’ve been working really hard. They’re always getting extra reps in before practice. I think just being able to get any touches on the ball in between plays, I always tell them, ‘Just get the ball up.’ I think them having good eyes and reading the hitters pretty well, it helps us in our offense.”
The NCAA tournament brings a lot of emotions. How do you manage your emotions on the court?
“It really just goes back to relying on the teammates who are next to me, especially in between plays. Those are the times when you connect with your teammates in those few seconds. Whenever I’m doubting myself, I come back to the huddle and I just rely on them.”
What do you enjoy most about being around your teammates this season?
“Just the good times that we’ve had. Everyone’s pretty goofy, pretty laidback. I think that’s what’s been carrying us a lot, especially on the court, through all the tough times, when we’re able to bring it back to just having fun and laughing and enjoying the moment. I think that helps us out.”
You come from a pretty athletic family. I saw your cousin, A.J. Epenesa, plays for the Buffalo Bills. What’s it like coming from a family like that where so many people are into sports?
“Competitive. That’s the only thing I could say. Growing up, we were always competing, even when we weren’t trying. I think that translated to when I first got on the court playing volleyball. I’ve always wanted to compete. I think that’s really translated to where I am right now.”
What are some things you’ve learned from the coaching staff this season that have really helped you?
“There’s a lot to choose from. I would say being confident in your play. One thing Katie always says is being able to throw your shoulders back, you know? Also, relying on your teammates. She always says, ‘All 17 of us.’ That’s one thing that we’ve emphasized this season, just relying on the people next to you. I think that’s the biggest thing I can take away from this season.”
What advice or tips do you have for younger setters?
“For me, personally, the extra reps have always helped. I think there’s always room for improvement and perfecting your craft. Whenever you can get in the gym and work on those relationships with your hitters and your technique, I think that can really help out. Never give up.”
What does it mean to you to be a role model for young girls who come out to watch your matches?
“I think it’s awesome. Being able to have the platform that we do now just being on Penn State, it’s a dream come true for me. I’ve always wanted to inspire little girls. I think just having the opportunity here at Penn State has been awesome.”
How would you describe the Penn State fanbase and what they mean to the team?
“I think they make a huge difference, especially when we’re here at Rec Hall. You notice the difference when we do have the fans and when we don’t. They’ve been a huge part of our success here in Rec Hall, and we’re really appreciative of them. We don’t take that for granted.”