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

Head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley answered questions before Penn State’s weekend matchups against USC (Friday at 8 p.m. ET) and UCLA (Sunday at noon) at Rec Hall. Freshman defensive specialist Ava Jurevicius and senior middle blocker/co-captain Jordan Hopp also met with the media for 20-plus minutes Tuesday, so we decided to split this week’s press conference transcripts into two parts.

Keep an eye out for Jurevicius’ and Hopp’s comments to be posted soon. This article would be too long if we were to post everything all together. The Nittany Lions (6-4) wrapped up non-conference play with a pair of wins last weekend, beating Princeton in five sets Friday before sweeping Penn State great Arielle Wilson and her Central Michigan team Sunday.

The Penn State women’s volleyball team will be honored on the field during the Penn State vs. Oregon White Out football game Saturday night. All four commits from Penn State’s 2027 recruiting class — Nejari Crooks, Taylor Harrington, Olivia Henry, and Molly Robertson — will be in attendance for the USC match Friday night, and Saturday’s highly anticipated top-10 matchup at Beaver Stadium, as part of their official visit weekend.

Katie Schumacher-Cawley

What makes playing in the Big Ten so [difficult]?

“I think the Big Ten is fiercely competitive, with the amount of talented players. I think every team has great players and is big, physical, and just competes hard.”

With how your team has performed against ranked opponents this year, how important is the matchup against USC on Friday?

“Well, I think any matchup for us is really important in conference. I think every team, whether they’re ranked or not, you’ll see some upsets in the Big Ten just because of the level of play. I think, when we have an opportunity to play at home, you have to win at home.”

What do you like about USC?

“I like their coach, Brad [Keller]. I think he’s a good guy, and I think he’s a great coach. I think their staff has done a really nice job with the players they have and the couple transfers they’ve gotten throughout the last couple years. I think they compete at a high level and are physical and really strong.”

Does going into Big Ten play kind of feel like a new season to you guys?

“Yeah, that’s something that we talk about with the team. There’s preseason, there’s the Big Ten season, and then postseason. So, hopefully, we’ve learned a lot from this preseason, and things that we need to continue to work on to make sure that we’re competing at a high level for Big Ten play. But, yeah, it’s definitely a new season for us. I’m happy we get to start it here at home.”

You said you’ve learned a lot. What do you think is the biggest thing your team has learned so far?

“I think the team’s learned to be flexible and to be uncomfortable in certain situations, and to really focus on their skills and how they can help the team be better. All of them are going to contribute to it. So, whether they play at all, or the whole time, we really put a lot of focus on practice.”

Does it provide any extra motivation that a lot of people seem to be counting you guys out this year? 

“Yeah, sure. I think no one counted the team in last year, either. And, so, with rankings and all of that, I think that’s always for the fans, but I know our players look at that stuff. Our goal is to win at home and to steal on the road, and to be the best team that this group can.”

This is a big weekend. You’re playing two Big Ten matches and then there’s also the [Penn State football] White Out. What’s the plan for this weekend with the team?

“Yeah, it’s one big party here this weekend. We’ll get back to training these next couple days, and we have quite a few recruits coming in this weekend, and the team’s being honored during the first quarter of football. I think [there’s] a lot of excitement around campus, and, obviously, a lot of exciting matches ahead for us here. So, I think it’s just, ‘Enjoy what we have, but make sure that we’re really prepared.'”

Kind of following up on that, a two-part question: One, what are your memories of playing on football weekends and what those crowds were like? Two, what would your message to football fans be to try to get them here this week?

“We need as many fans as we can [get]. When there’s football going on, while we’re home, it’s always nice to see Rec Hall filled. And, obviously, with the Sunday match [against UCLA being at noon], it will be nice for people, if they’re looking for something to do before they leave town, to come on over. But I just think that the town is electric during these weekends of Big Ten conference play, and, obviously, the White Out. So, it will be exciting to have [College GameDay] here and all the activities for the students. Our girls will be just as excited. I know we’ll have a great crowd. It’s really fun when we’re both in town.”

What are some of your fondest memories of the White Out since you’ve been here?

“Well, I will say, we didn’t really get to go to as many football games [in years past] as now, just because our schedule was always Friday-Saturday. The last [few] years I’ve been here, I’ve been able to attend a [few] games. One of my fondest memories as a student here was when my brother, [Jerry Schumacher], was playing for [the] Illinois [football team], and we were off that day, so I actually got to watch him play at Penn State, and lose to Penn State. But, no, I didn’t get to go to as many games as a student-athlete here, but I just think that the town is so fun when there’s both going on, so we get to enjoy both of those.”

Do you remember what year that was?

“It was 2000.”

What year was your brother in school?

“He was a junior.”

What position did he play?

“He was a linebacker.”

And your dad, [Jerry], played [football], too, right?

“My dad played at Michigan.”

You have [quite] a Big Ten tradition in your family. What’s that like?

“Hey, they all cheer for Penn State now, so that’s all that matters. But, no, I grew up knowing the Michigan fight song when I was, like, 2 years old. We grew up Michigan fans. But I think my family’s just really supportive of me at Penn State now.”

Did you ever consider Michigan as a recruit?

“I did. I visited Michigan and Penn State. Obviously, we know I came here. No, it was great. Both [are] great schools. At the time, Penn State had just gone to a Sweet 16, and I wanted to go somewhere that was going to win, and I think Penn State was just a little bit ahead of Michigan at that time.”

Did you visit anywhere else?

“I visited Notre Dame. I made the right choice [laughs].”

Two of the newest additions to Katie Schumacher-Cawley’s office. Left: A custom, bedazzled volleyball that took booster club member Karen Christman 70 hours of work to complete. Right: The Chicago firefighter helmet of @CoachKatiePSU’s late uncle, Mike Miller. pic.twitter.com/kcZpwcw434

— DigNittanyVolleyball (@DigNittany) September 24, 2025

Speaking of Penn State and Michigan, how is it having Jess [Mruzik] back in town?

“It’s awesome. It’s great having Jess here to hang out, to be in practice, to help out for a couple days, and just catching up with her [about] her new career and all that. I think she made an impact here at Penn State, and it’s nice to have her around our players.”

What’s it like seeing her become one of the top players in the pro game already?

“It’s great. I mean, I’m not surprised. She works really hard, and I think she’s a great teammate. I think she does everything she can to get her skills to the next level. It’s great having Jess back. We’ll have [some] other alums coming up throughout the season. Any time we can have former players back in to see the team and to talk about their experience and what they’re doing now, whether it’s playing or whatever profession they’re in, I think it’s really important.”

You talked about your rotation between hitters, especially the mix of Caroline [Jurevicius] and Alexis [Ewing]. How has that been coming along?

“I think it’s been exciting to see different players and try different things. I think Lexi Ewing has come a long way since preseason, and can do some nice things. I mean, CJ has great experience, and I think playing on the left side is [somewhat] new and different for her, but I think she’s doing a great job. I think everyone’s doing their job right now. Emmi [Sellman] is one of our better passers, so we definitely need to have her on the floor more. But, like I said, they’ll all contribute. You never know when you’re going to get your opportunity, but I know each of them will do their job and help us score points.”

Is that something that we can expect to see more throughout the year, kind of mixing and matching players in different roles?

“Yeah, [wherever] we’re at, whether it’s a block we need or someone else to come in and score, we’re not afraid to make those changes. We saw [Gabrielle] Nichols early in the season, and she’s doing some really nice things, too. So, she can come in and block for us as well. We’ll probably be mixing it up quite a bit.”

Is there any update on Marin [Collins] and how her [injury] recovery is going?

“Yeah, she’s coming back into practice. I don’t know how quickly she’ll be able to move along to be at a level that we need her to play, but it’s nice seeing her out of her boot and being able to start doing some things in practice with us.”

Do you remember your first time ever visiting Rec Hall?

“Yeah, it would have been my official visit. I was a senior [at Mother McAuley High School]. It was great. It was pretty similar to what it looks like now, but maybe a little updated [now]. This building is very old. But, no, I just remember the people. The people here are so great, and want to be so supportive of, not only volleyball, but I think all the sports here. I just remember the community being so special, and something I wanted to be a part of.”

What does it mean to you to have this be your office now?

“It’s great. I’m honored to be here at Penn State. I don’t take this position lightly. It’s a great honor to be coaching here. To be able to make an impact in the lives of young women and people around me is really special.”

Kennedy Martin led the team with 29 kills against Princeton and [16 kills] against Central Michigan. Did any aspects of her game change after the Pitt [match]?

“I just think, with new setting and her just being comfortable in her role on the team, it’s nice to see her be really aggressive and find ways to score, because she’s a really special player, and she can do that a lot. So, not putting it all on her, and knowing that other players have to score as well, but I thought she took some big swings, and, defensively, is doing some things better. I’m excited to see her compete in this conference.”

You [were recently added] to the mural [on Hiester Street] downtown [that features notable State College residents and Penn State figures]. What was it like getting to check that out?

“That was crazy. I didn’t know anything about that until he stopped by the office. Mike [Pilato], the artist, is so talented, and I got a rundown of the whole mural and a lot of people who are involved in it. Like I said, this is a really special community, and I’m honored just to be a part of it. It’s pretty cool.”

You probably get stopped a lot more now out in public. What’s it like kind of balancing that?

“It’s great. I mean, it’s part of it, I guess. When you win, people notice, and when you lose, people notice. I’m just lucky that there are a lot of people who really care about us here, whether we win or lose, and know that our team is doing [its] best on and off the court.”

What are some things you guys are going to have to do to be successful in Big Ten play?

“I think we’re going to have to serve and pass much better than what we’ve been doing. It’s definitely something that we’re focused on. I think we need to play some great defense to be successful against these teams coming up, and moving forward. So, we’ll definitely be working on those things the next couple days.”

What are some things you would like to see from Gill [Grimes], Ava [Falduto], and all the [defensive specialists]?

“To continue to run the backcourt, to be confident in their serve-receive, and to, defensively, be one of the best teams. They can dig a lot of balls. I think they need to know that and be confident in their skills, and to just trust their abilities.”

Do you think your players are excited to start Big Ten play with much more competition?

“Yeah, I mean, I think this preseason has been a lot of competition, but I think that Big Ten play is just a whole different beast, and super exciting. A lot of them are friends with different players on Big Ten teams. I think it’s just so competitive. You take a look at the calendar and how fast the season goes from this point forward, so, I think, for them, it’s just embracing the opportunities to play at home and to be in front of our home crowd, and to really take advantage of it.”

Have you had a chance to look a little bit at UCLA?

“Oh, yeah. I’ve had a chance to look at both teams, and I think both teams will cause some problems, and have things that they do really well. I’m hoping the trip from the west to the east slows them down a little bit. But, no, I just think we need to be really aggressive from the end-line, and focused on what we can control on our side of the net, to disrupt what they do well. I think both teams have great attackers. I think USC is a really nice blocking team. We’ll need to pass well. Addie [Lyon’s] going to have to be able to separate the block a little bit. All things that we’ll work on the next couple days.”

We just saw the latest [AVCA] poll come out, and UCLA is right outside the top 25. While they’re not officially ranked, are you treating that as a top-25 matchup?

“Absolutely. Sure, rankings mean some things, but every team in this conference has high-level players. You’ll see teams at the bottom of the Big Ten that will be beating teams in the middle of the pack, and so on. So, you better be prepared, or you won’t win.”

We talked to Jordan [Hopp] and Ava [Jurevicius] earlier. What impresses you about their impact this season?

“I think they’re both high-quality individuals. I think they’re both really proud Penn Staters, and I’m happy that they’re both here. Jordan’s had a great couple weekends, and I think has really gotten better in our gym. Ava, being a freshman and a proud Penn Stater, she’s gotten a lot better. She’s [gone] in to serve. She’s working on her defensive skill work. Like I said, everyone will contribute, but they’re both a real joy to coach.”

When did you get that tattoo on your [right] wrist?

“I’ve had this for a bit. I found an old card from my dad, and it was on the front of it. I got it in Philly after one of my doctor’s appointments.”

Speaking of your [late father], what does he mean to you? 

“I think my dad was super competitive, but also just a really good person. I think both of my parents have always been so supportive of women in athletics. I’m lucky to have a dad who was pushing me to be the best I could.”

It seems like there has been a lot of support from the students so far this season. Have you noticed that?

“I love Rec Hall. I love this atmosphere. I think it’s been a record student-section [turnout] for us. The amount of student tickets we’ve given out this year has been super high. It’s been a lot of fun.”

Do you have a favorite Rec Hall memory?

“I think winning the Big Ten here last season, and, also, beating Creighton [in the Elite Eight], because one of the team goals was to go undefeated at home. I think being a part of that was, for me, really special, to see the players really enjoy that, because it was something that they had talked about for a long time.”

What would be your pitch to the fan base to pack Rec Hall for all the remaining home matches?

“First, thank you for all the support so far. The team is grateful. We will continue to get better, [so] keep coming out.”