Leisa Elisaia Named Big Ten Setter Of The Week For Third Time

Posted on by Ethan Kasales

Penn State women’s volleyball graduate senior Leisa Elisaia was named the Big Ten Setter of the Week for a third time this season Monday afternoon after leading the Nittany Lions to wins over Maryland and Rutgers.

Elisaia combined for 93 assists, 15 digs, four kills, and three blocks last week, guiding now-No. 16 Penn State to a 3-1 win over the Terrapins Wednesday night at Rec Hall and a sweep of the Scarlet Knights Sunday afternoon in Piscataway, New Jersey.

Elisaia shared this week’s honors with Minnesota’s Taylor Landfair and Purdue’s Maddie Schermerhorn and Eva Hudson. Elisaia graduated from Cal State Bakersfield before transferring to the Nittany Lions (19-6, 8-6 Big Ten) this offseason for her final year of eligibility.

Elisaia was previously named the Big Ten Setter of the Week on September 5 and October 24. The South Jordan, Utah, native is closing in on 1,000 assists this season, as she currently sits at 949 heading into Friday’s away match against Indiana. Elisaia also has 198 digs, 75 kills, 73 blocks, and a team-high 23 aces.

Elisaia, Allie Holland, and Kash Williams are the only Nittany Lions to be recognized with weekly conference honors so far this season, as Holland and Williams both took home Big Ten laurels on September 12.

Elisaia has the most assists of any Big Ten setter this season, but barely trails Ohio State’s Mac Podraza (10.82) and Minnesota’s Melani Shaffmaster (10.54) in assists per set with 10.32. Elisaia and Illinois’ Diana Brown (907) are the conference’s only setters to surpass 900 assists so far. Elisaia and Podraza are the lone players to be named Big Ten Setter of the Week three times in 2022.

Penn State pin hitter Zoe Weatherington discussed her connection with Elisaia and what stands out about playing alongside her during her press conference last Tuesday.

“She has a very level head,” Weatherington said. “She never gets too high or too low. She runs the court. She’s a great floor captain to have, just because of her knowledge and the way that she acts on the court. I love it.”

Head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley also touched on Elisaia’s impact on the Nittany Lions and what she’s doing well lately during a recent media availability. Schumacher-Cawley has often said that Elisaia is routinely in the gym getting extra reps with her teammates this season.

“I think she’s doing a great job,” Schumacher-Cawley said. “I think she’s seeing the game a little bit better. It’s been new for her being here in a different environment within the conference, but I think our passers are putting her in a position to be able to set all along the net, and for her to be able to score herself. I think she’s just gotten better every match we’ve played in.”