Katie Schumacher-Cawley, Taylor Trammell November 1 Interview Transcripts

Posted on by Ethan Kasales

The Penn State women’s volleyball program held its 11th weekly media availability of the 2023 season Wednesday afternoon before a Halloween-themed practice at Rec Hall, where the players dressed up in various costumes.

Head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley and senior middle blocker Taylor Trammell answered questions before the Nittany Lions’ White Out match against No. 1 Nebraska Friday at 8:30 p.m. at Rec Hall. No. 16 Penn State (15-6, 9-3 Big Ten) wraps up the weekend on the road Sunday at 1 p.m. against No. 19 Purdue.

Trammell, a Lexington, Kentucky, native, has 118 kills, 84 total blocks, 21 digs, and two assists so far this season. She’s currently ninth in the Big Ten with a .348 hitting percentage and has started all 21 matches for the Nittany Lions. Trammell and fellow middle blocker Allie Holland have helped Penn State become the top blocking team in the conference at 2.98 blocks per set this season.

“I think Taylor’s doing great things,” Schumacher-Cawley said earlier this season. “She’s getting better as we go. She’s more available in transition. I like that she’s taking big swings for us.”

Katie Schumacher-Cawley

What were some of the positives from the Michigan match last Friday? Cam [Hannah] had a nice match. How would you assess her performance?

“I think Cam did a great job. She got better as the match went on and found ways to score. I think any time you can win on the road is a great win. I thought Michigan has been playing well. After our match, they came back and beat Ohio State. I think they’re doing some really good things. I was happy to see us compete and to grab one win on the road.”

What are some things that you think didn’t go so well against Michigan State?

“Sets two and three, I thought we played really well and were ready to go. Set four, I thought we made way too many attacking errors and just errors that Michigan State took advantage of. I thought they played well. They stuck to their game plan and they were able to make it uncomfortable for us. Unfortunately, we had opportunities in the fifth set to finish the game and we didn’t. I’m hoping it’s a great learning experience for this group, that we have a couple good practices this week, and that we’ll be ready to go by Friday.”

We saw some of the other outside hitters getting serving reps last weekend. Where have you seen them improve in that area?

“It’s something we do every day, and we need to find the players who are going to serve aggressively and be okay with missing, but we need to serve a little bit tougher. I think Cam [Hannah] and Zoe [Weatherington] both have really tough serves. When they can hit those, we’re able to score. I thought Maddy [Bilinovic] did a good job serving. She can move the ball around well. I’m looking forward to seeing her do that the rest of the season.”

What would you like to see from your team in practice heading into some big matches this weekend?

“Just feeling confident in what they’re doing, having great practices, and being mindful of what we’re doing and why we’re doing it. And to continue to have the ownership of getting better.”

How important will it be to clean up the passing a little bit?

“Yeah, we didn’t pass great at all [last weekend]. I think that’s something that they understand, for us to be successful, it has to be better. I think a lot of the girls have taken it upon themselves to do some extra work and to be better. You have to win at home and feel comfortable, so I think they’re taking advantage of being home this week.”

What are some things you learned during the last match against Nebraska that you can take into Friday?

“I thought two of the sets were pretty tight. I think we need to obviously pass better. We didn’t pass well at all that match. I think Jess [Mruzik] took 55 swings, which was a lot. We need to get other people involved and able to score. I would like to see our middles be a little bit more active and get them the ball, but I think that all stems from having good passing.”

What stands out to you about [Nebraska setter] Bergen Reilly?

“I think she’s a great player. I think she’s confident. I think she moves the ball well and she knows who to set, when to set. I think she’s a winner. She’s done a lot of great things this season so far. I think she’s fun to watch. I’m excited to have Nebraska here at Rec Hall.”

What impresses you about Nebraska’s backcourt?

“Between [Laney] Choboy and [Lexi] Rodriguez, I think they fly around and they make great moves. They’re really aggressive and they don’t give up on balls. They find ways to get touches. I think that they’re very good.”

Looking ahead to Sunday’s match at Purdue, what stands out about them? What would you like to work on from last time?

“I think Purdue played us tough at home. I know we’ll be better the second time around. We have to take care of business Friday, but be able to refocus and reset. Playing Purdue [at Holloway Gymnasium] is hard. I think that they’ve been playing well. I’m looking forward to us competing and playing at a high level.”

They have a freshman setter as well in Taylor Anderson. What stands out about her?

“I think there are a lot of really good setters in the league this year. I think that she’s comfortable with her attackers. I think she’s not afraid to set the middles when she needs to. I think both of their pin players take big swings. She puts them in a nice position.”

Penn State is the top blocking team in the conference so far. How important has that been?

“I think any way you can generate some points [is positive]. We work on defense a lot. Going into this half of the season, we need to be better and continue to be aggressive as a blocking team. I think our backcourt can get better touches and be able to score points.”

What are some things you want to see from your offense moving forward?

“I think being able to move the ball around a little bit more and to get the middles involved. Whether it’s in serve receive or transition, they need to be available. I think Mac [Podraza] has to be comfortable setting them. I know they’ve been working really hard this week on that connection and being able to score.”

Taylor [Trammell] is in the top 10 in the conference in hitting percentage. How have you seen her improve throughout her time here at Penn State?

“Taylor works hard. She’s healthy. I know she comes to practice every day and wants to get better. She’s been doing a lot of extra work with the setters, and it shows. I’m happy for her and her success. I’m not surprised, and hope that she continues to put the effort in.”

What do you like most about her character off the court?

“I think Taylor is a really caring person. I think she’s a great teammate. She’s one who is really helpful and wants to see people do well.”

What have you seen from your team’s leadership so far, especially after a tough loss last weekend?

“I think it’s been everyone having to, again, have ownership in the program and the team. I put it on all of them to help each other, to be better for the program, and to continue to work hard. It’s a tough conference we play in. It’s hard to win, like I always say. I think if they stick together and continue to work hard and stay focused on one match at a time, they’ll be just fine.”

How have you seen your captains take some of the younger players under their wing?

“I think Allie [Holland] and Mac [Podraza] both do a great job with that. I also think our junior class has been pretty effective in helping the younger classes as well. Between Cassie [Kuerschen], Anje [Starck], and Quinn [Menger], since the summer, I think that they have done a great job with welcoming, not only just the freshmen, but all of the new players, too.”

How important is it for the team to be close off the court?

“They spend so much time together that I think every little bit of support and help from one another helps you along the way.”

Taylor Trammell

I guess we can start off with Halloween. What did you dress up as today?

“So, I’m a lion. Technically, my outfit could be Lion King with Zoe [Weatherington]. Zoe dressed up as a king. But yeah, I’m a lion. I’m the new Nittany Lion.”

What’s it like having these fun experiences with your teammates?

“Yeah, it’s super cute and sweet. These are the real memories we’re going to remember, what we dressed up as for Halloween. Obviously, I’m just happy to be a part of a program that does this type of fun stuff.”

What’s your favorite Halloween candy?

“Maybe the Nerds boxes. That’s pretty valid. But my favorite candy I would say is Sour Patch watermelon. That’s my favorite.”

What are some things you learned as a team last weekend?

“We learned a lot of stuff I think, just about ourselves and our abilities and how we have to trust each other a little bit more than previously. I think going into this week, when we have two big matches coming up, we’re going to prepare really hard. We know what we need to do to get better.”

What stands out to you about Nebraska’s team? What do they do well?

“I think Nebraska has a really young and talented team, but being young and talent can only take you so far in this type of conference. I think if they, obviously, keep growing as players, that’s one of the main things that I think helps them, but overall, I think that, with our type of experience and seniority, we still have a good matchup [Friday].”

Penn State is the top blocking team in the Big Ten. How important will that be against their impressive attackers?

“Yeah, that’s going to be huge. Obviously, they have some great outsides, middles, and right-sides. I mean, their whole front row is pretty great. I think us going in there, the mindset is trying to shut everything down. It’s going to be key. And also sticking to our game plan that we’ve been working on this whole week.”

Where do you think your team has improved from the beginning of the season until now?

“From the beginning of the season until now, I definitely think that our team has grown and flourished in a sense of we’re not afraid to try new things. We’ll spend a whole week working on something that we would never do in a game, just because we’re trying to improve ourselves as players and improve our skills. Overall, I think that we still have big growing to do for the rest of the season. We’re not done. We have not hit the peak yet. But I think we’ve just improved overall, as teammates, as people, trusting each other on the court, trusting each other’s potential. Yeah, overall, we’ve grown to love each other a little more.”

How have you and Mac [Podraza] grown your relationship throughout the year?

“Going into this season, obviously, it was going to be hard, getting a new setter anywhere, but I think we’ve been working really hard on our connection every practice and every game. I think it’s been growing really well. I think that, throughout the season, we’re just only going to keep getting better.”

What are some things that stand out about Allie Holland?

“Allie’s obviously a great teammate and friend. I think that she’s been the same way throughout the season. She’s just been growing. I think that we’re going to keep doing our jobs and providing what this team needs.”

How have you seen the freshmen improve and gain more confidence?

“I love all of our freshmen. They’re adorable. They provide a lot of comedy for this team, but they’ve been improving and just hopping in where they belong and doing whatever they [need]. I love them to death. They’re not afraid of anything or anyone.”

What impresses you about your outside hitters this season?

“Our outsides have obviously been helping us a lot. They’re heavily depended on on this team, and I think they know that. Just knowing that they’re players we can always count on is something that I’m really grateful for.”

What motivates or drives you as a player?

“For me, honestly, I think my family. They know what I’ve been through and everything I go through on a daily basis to get to where I’m at today. I think my family just keeps me balanced and they keep me pushing along.”

What does it mean to you to have the support of your family and friends back home?

“It means a lot. I don’t know how I would do any of the stuff I do on a daily basis without them, and honestly, without Jesus as well. I think my family just keeps me grounded.”

How important is your faith to you?

“My faith is really important to me. I take being a Christian really seriously and I’m always leaning on God. I know He’s always watching me.”

How would you assess the defensive specialists’ impact on the team?

“The back row, they’ve been great, obviously, and have been growing. They’re going to really help our team. I think that we’re still working with just putting all of the pieces together. We have a lot of people in that spot, so I feel like there are some rotations going on, but overall, I know they’ve been doing a great job.”

How important will it be to smooth out the passing a little bit, especially to get the ball to the middles?

“I think that’s something we work on constantly in practice. That’s all I can do is just keep praising them for when it’s there. I know that they’re working their hardest and they’re doing their best every time they get the ball.”

What are some things that Purdue did well the last time you played against them?

“I think Purdue did a really good job of fronting the middle. I think that their game plan against us could probably change in this upcoming game. I think that we’re the better team. I think we have to go in there and we have to act like that.”

What do you think the environment will be like Friday night at Rec Hall for the White Out match against Nebraska?

“I heard it’s [almost] sold out, so I’m excited. I think this is the biggest game that Rec Hall has had in a lot of years, but I think it will be a really good turnout. I don’t think I’ve played in front of that many people [at home], so I’m excited.”

How would you describe the support the team gets from the Penn State fan base?

“It’s like no other, obviously. I think everyone’s there to support us at any waking moment we need it.”

What are some things that you want to see from the team moving forward that you can improve?

“Moving forward, I think we can do a better job at probably just our communication. It’s still a little bit low. It’s not that it’s bad, we just have to still work on that. And the trust aspect. But overall, we’re still moving in the right direction.”

How important is Jess [Mruzik] to the team’s success?

“Jess is obviously really important to our success. We depend on her a lot. She’s doing her best daily for us, so I appreciate it.”

How have you seen Gill [Grimes] improve and grow in her confidence?

“Gill has taken such a leadership role this year, and she’s been controlling that back row like nobody’s business. I really appreciate her stepping up and filling in some big shoes, obviously, with Penn State’s history. I think she’s doing a great job.”

What’s it like when you get a chance to meet with the Penn State alums who visit the team?

“It’s really cool getting to see all the Penn State alums. They always stop by, even at away games, if they’re in that city. I think that the community here is crazy. I don’t think any other school has a community base that we do. I’m grateful to meet them. Some of them literally have gold medals in their living room, so it’s crazy to get to hear their words of wisdom. We’re grateful.”

What are some things you admire about Haleigh Washington?

“Haleigh Washington kind of paved the way for middles in general. She’s one of the Founding Fathers, I feel like, for middles. I just love everything about her, what she stands for, and obviously, her drive.”

What’s it like seeing all these pro leagues cropping up around the U.S.?

“[These] pro leagues are a great addition. I know my mom is super excited every time she sees a pro league, because she’s like, ‘Oh, my gosh, maybe you can stay in the States, Taylor.’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, that’s such a great idea.’ It’s obviously something every person dreams of. You’re going to play pro volleyball and you’re also now getting to stay closer to home in some situations, so I’m excited about them. I know that they’re just going to keep growing, and sooner or later, they’re going to be popping up everywhere. I think it’s a great thing, and the sport’s growing, so every athlete is looking forward to it.”

Do you aspire to play professionally after Penn State?

“Yeah, I do. I think playing professionally is the goal.”

What are you studying?

“Sociology.”

What are some things you like about that major?

“Sociology, the study of society, is great. I think I want to go into law with it, just because that’s the next step. I don’t really want to go into the social work scene. I’m enjoying it. It’s fun.”

How has studying sociology helped you improve as a teammate?

“It’s definitely kept me level-headed. Just knowing how the world works around you puts things in perspective. Volleyball is one thing, but how other things in the world are going is another.”

What’s your favorite thing about working with this coaching staff?

“I think my favorite thing is they take a lot of time to work with us independently if we want it. They’re always there for us if we need it. It’s not like we have to wait 10 weeks for someone to get in the gym with us. They’re always there for us whenever we need to get some extra reps.”