The Penn State women’s volleyball program held its ninth weekly media availability of the 2023 season Wednesday afternoon before practice at Rec Hall.

Head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley answered questions ahead of the Nittany Lions’ home matches against Iowa and No. 19 Purdue this weekend. No. 11 Penn State (13-4, 7-1 Big Ten) moved up two spots in this week’s AVCA rankings after sweeping the Hawkeyes last Friday and being swept by No. 2 Nebraska last Saturday.

Due to a scheduling conflict, we were unable to speak with any players Wednesday, but are hoping to do so Thursday, and will post the transcripts from those interviews after if so. This Friday’s rematch against Iowa at 7 p.m. is the program’s Team IMPACT awareness night, while Sunday’s contest against the Boilermakers at 1 p.m. on FS1 is this year’s Dig Pink match.

The Nittany Lions currently rank third in the Big Ten in hitting percentage (.254) and third in kills per set (13.59), but have struggled to generate consistent service pressure so far this season, as they sit in last place in the conference with just 0.97 aces per set. The transcript of questions and answers from Schumacher-Cawley’s interview can be found below.

Katie Schumacher-Cawley

What are your thoughts on last weekend’s Iowa match and then getting into Nebraska?

“It was a tough weekend. I thought we played really well at Iowa. We did some good things against Nebraska, but I think being able to close out a set and not make as many errors is something that we need to be better at, so that you can push the top teams like that and eventually win sets that win matches. I thought we competed hard and definitely have some things that we’re working on already this week to prepare for this weekend.”

What kind of challenges did Nebraska and its defense pose for your team?

“I thought they served aggressively. We weren’t really in-system a lot. I think our passing needs to be better, so that we can not just set the outside hitters. They’re a big block, and they found ways to score. I think we just made too many errors.”

What are some things you learned about Iowa’s team last week that you can take into Friday’s match?

“Iowa plays hard. I know they’ve been messing around with a couple different lineups, so we’ll see what they do against us again, but we need to control the ball on our side and compete. I always say, ‘You have to win at home.'”

You have the Team IMPACT and Dig Pink matches this weekend. How important are those causes to the team?

“I’m super excited. Olivia is our [Team IMPACT] teammate, and we’re so happy she’s part of our program, her and her family. We’re excited to see them again this weekend and to bring awareness to such a special organization. I’m proud of our team and the university for allowing us to represent them. I think breast cancer awareness is something near and dear to almost everyone and anyone. They’ve known someone affected by it. I think it’s special to honor the women and men who have struggled with it. I know our team will represent everyone well.”

What stands out about Purdue’s team?

“Purdue is aggressive. I think they’re really good. I think they play hard. They have left-sides and middles who swing aggressively. I think we need to be better defensively and we have to be able to serve and pass on our own home court.”

What impresses you about Chloe Chicoine and Eva Hudson?

“I think they’re both great six-rotation players who can play the whole game, attack front row, back row, and defensively, make great moves. I think they’re complete players. We need to play great volleyball and we need to control the ball on our side. We need to have multiple players stepping up and playing well.”

Penn State is last in the Big Ten in service aces per set. How important will it be to improve there?

“I think serving is something we have to be better at. I think we’re serving tough and we’re getting teams out-of-system, but we definitely have to start scoring a little bit more from the end line.”

What would you like to see from your team’s passing moving forward?

“I think playing at home is comfortable, and we need to continue to get better at those skills. No matter who’s in, whichever DS is in, whichever outside is in, we have to be able to control the ball and be better.”

How important will it be for Mac [Podraza] to move the ball around a little bit more and not just go to Jess [Mruzik] all the time?

“That’s exactly it. Our passing, earlier in the season, I think there were matches when we were passing really well and were able to distribute the ball pretty evenly. This weekend’s crucial. We have to pass well so that we can get other people involved. When we do that, I think we’re pretty good.”

How would you describe Taylor [Trammell’s] efficiency? She’s fifth in the Big Ten in hitting percentage right now [at .377].

“I think Taylor’s doing great things. She’s getting better as we go. She’s more available in transition. I like that she’s taking big swings for us.”

Alexa [Markley] had a career-high 17 kills against Iowa. What would you like to see from her moving forward?

“I think Alexa’s another player who’s been improving match by match. I’m looking forward to seeing what she does this weekend. I always think that she’s a great blocker. She found ways to score. I thought we did a good job Friday night at Iowa in opening her up for some shots, and she took advantage of that. I would like to see her continue that path and be a little bit more effective defensively.”

What advice do you have for your younger players about pushing through the grind of this Big Ten schedule?

“To embrace it. We have 12 matches left in conference play. It’s really special to be playing at home. Take advantage of that time. The time playing at home and the time playing together as a team. It goes fast, and I think they understand that.”

What are some of the positives and negatives of these Friday-Sunday matches?

“I think the positive is it splits up the week a little bit. There’s a little bit more rest for the team on Saturday. I think any time you’re on TV is a big deal. I know we’re on TV again on Sunday. I think that’s really special for the girls and for the families who can’t be here. I don’t really get to dictate the schedule, but I do know that when you’re at home, you better take advantage of it.”

How well do you think the Big Ten in general does of getting its volleyball teams on TV in front of a huge audience?

“I think it’s amazing. The amount of times that we’ve been on TV already and that we’ll continue to be on, I think that they’re really growing the sport. I love that people all over the world can watch us. I think that we’re really lucky to be in this conference to be able to have that exposure.”

How important is it for your players to be in training room and taking care of their bodies in between practices and matches?

“I think, even on the off-days, they do a great job of coming in and getting treatments. Some of them are doing extra lifts and things like that to help their bodies feel good. We put a lot on them to take care of themselves like that. I know we’re really lucky for coach [Matt] Dorn and [athletic trainer] Scott [Campbell] going above and beyond and being available for the team.”

Micha [Hancock’s] playing professionally over in Italy again. What can your players learn from her and the things she’s been able to accomplish?

“I think that any of these [Penn State] players who are playing internationally and professionally, it’s great for our girls to see that you can continue to play after college. There’s a spot for you anywhere. You have to compete hard. I think that those are players to look up to and know that you can have a great future and travel the world doing it. I think we’re really lucky and fortunate to have many of the Penn State players still playing.”

What are some things you want your team to focus on in practice heading into this weekend?

“We have to be better defensively, so we’re going to work on some team defense. Obviously, our serve-and-pass is something that we have to do every day.”

What are some things you wish you knew as a player that you can give as advice now?

“I think to really just embrace the challenge. It’s hard. It’s hard to win. I think Penn State and this staff put the players in a great position to feel good about what they’re doing, but to know how quickly it goes. I always say that, ‘You don’t get it back’ and to make sure that we’re doing what we can daily, not just on Friday and Saturday.”

What keeps you up at night as a coach?

“What I can do differently. I try to learn from every match, and not dwell on it, but to learn from every match, both positive and negative, to help me be a better coach every week as well.”