Penn State women’s volleyball alumna Megan Courtney-Lush has embraced her role as one of the faces of Columbus professional sports, starring for the city’s newest franchise, the Columbus Fury, during the Pro Volleyball Federation’s inaugural season this spring.

Courtney-Lush routinely represents the Fury during community outreach events and shares her thoughts on the state of women’s volleyball and its rapid growth, among other topics, during public-speaking panels in the city.

The versatile outside hitter grew up in Dayton, about an hour west of Columbus, and starred at Archbishop Alter High School before taking her talents to Rec Hall. Courtney-Lush helped the Nittany Lions win back-to-back NCAA national championships as a sophomore and junior in 2013-14, earning most outstanding player honors following the 2014 tournament.

Courtney-Lush has impeccable touch as a passer, showcased by her relatively straight-forward transition to libero with the U.S. women’s national team several years ago. Courtney-Lush was named an alternate at the position ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which were held the following year due to COVID-19.

Courtney-Lush played professionally in Puerto Rico, Poland, Turkey, and Italy, most recently helping Imoco Volley Conegliano win the 2021-22 Serie A1 Super Cup as the tournament’s MVP, before returning home to the United States. Courtney-Lush and her husband, Mitch Lush, welcomed their daughter, Nora, on May 11, 2023.

Decked out in a custom Courtney-Lush Fury jersey, Nora often attended Megan’s home matches at Nationwide Arena, which also houses the Columbus Bluejackets of the NHL, alongside a host of family and friends. Penn State alumnae Kendall White and Nia Kai Reed helped the Omaha Supernovas win the first PVF championship on May 18.

Fury head coach Ángel Pérez spoke glowingly of Courtney-Lush’s desire to do whatever is necessary to assist her team, even if that meant taking more swings than Pérez envisioned for his veteran leader, who now has eight pro seasons under her belt.

“Megan is doing things for our team that she’s not supposed to be doing,” Pérez said midseason. “Megan shouldn’t be swinging at 50 balls every night. That’s not her responsibility. But anybody who sits next to Megan knows the competitive fire that she has.

“If they set her 80 balls, she’s going to try and get 80 points for us. But we need Megan for some other stuff. We need Megan for reception. We need Megan for standardizing our defense. We cannot expect for Megan to give us 15 to 20 points every night, because that’s not going to happen.”

Courtney-Lush finished the 2024 campaign with 196 points in 19 matches, including 26 total blocks and eight aces. She had 129 perfect passes out of 405 receptions (32 percent), as PVF judges receptions on a four-point scale, with four being graded as perfect, meaning the setter did not have to move.

Fury middle blocker Kaitlyn Hord, a fellow Penn State volleyball alumna who played her fifth and final college season at Nebraska in 2022, was complimentary of Courtney-Lush’s impact on the team when we chatted with her.

“She’s very wise,” Hord said. “She has those elite shots that some of us younger kids don’t know exist yet. She has a whole lot of experience to sprinkle on us, which is amazing.”

DigNittanyVolleyball made the trip to Columbus for two Fury matches last season and spoke to Courtney-Lush for an exclusive interview after one of them. The full transcript of questions and answers can be found below.

What’s it been like playing in this league after having a lot of experience playing overseas?

“I think the biggest part is that it’s just super competitive, and that’s what makes volleyball fun. There’s not one team who’s just crushing it. Obviously, no team is undefeated, either. The competitiveness, whether the volleyball is high-level or not, it doesn’t really matter, because the competition is so fun across the net. Every game is a battle and every game is a grind. It kind of reminds me of the Big Ten a little bit, how you have to bring your A-game every match, so it’s been fun.”

What are the biggest differences between playing outside hitter and libero?

“I think, honestly, just the body of work that you do as an outside. You’re responsible for passing, setting, defense, serving, every skill. Libero, obviously, you have a little bit less responsibility, but that doesn’t make your responsibility less as a role, because liberos are definitely game-changers in their own way. Definitely a different position to play sometimes, but no position is more important than the other.”

What’s it like being a role model for your daughter and other girls who look up to you and your teammates?

“Honestly, the first match, getting to see her in the stands was super emotional, and every match after that is one that I don’t take for granted and that I’m so grateful for, because I play this game for the love of it, and I’m super passionate about it. To know that a couple of years ago, it wasn’t really a thing that moms got to come back and be star athletes or just be able to do their thing, so I’m really grateful for the people who I’ve surrounded myself with, my support system at home and also with the team. This transition is very difficult, but it’s been so much fun, and they’ve helped along the way.”

How would you describe the legacy of success of the Penn State program?

“Copy-paste Russ Rose, whatever he has to say about it, right? He’s the man of the hour. Obviously, Katie [Schumacher-Cawley] is there right now doing a great job, too. I’m so proud to be a Penn State Nittany Lion, and I’ve always been. I walk around with a lot of pride knowing that I was part of something really, really incredible. And who came before me, also, is who you play for. The group of Penn State players now are also doing the same thing. I think you wear that ‘Penn State’ on your chest with pride, and you know that all the years that Coach [Rose] was there and all the years that now Katie’s hopefully going to be there, it’s just building upon a legacy and a legendary program. Being able to say that I was part of a team that won a national championship — actually, two of them — it’s just so incredible. The memories that I have of Penn State will stick with me forever. I learned so much about myself as a person, but also as a player in those years, even though it’s almost 10 years ago now. It’s just been so much fun to carry that with me.”

What’s it like keeping in touch with your fellow Penn State alums and teammates?

“Carley Muller, Laura (Broerman) Van Wyk, and Taylor Krause are my three best friends. We were all bridesmaids in each other’s weddings. And then I have a couple others [who I’m particularly close with]. Kendall (Pierce) Russell just became a mom. It’s so fun to see our lives and our journeys and how they’re different and how it’s so cool to reconnect, whenever that time is. We have that bond of being able to go through the ringer that is the Penn State program, and to be able to come out successful and to have best friends there who we continue to have throughout our lives. I can’t say anything more. I just love that place.”

What was it like playing for Coach Rose? What are your thoughts on him retiring a few years ago?

“Heartbreaking, but he deserved it. That man has a special place in my heart, and he knows that. What he taught me as a person and what he’s helped me through in my life, not just as a player at Penn State, but we talk on a regular basis. He’s just always been someone who I can use as a sounding board, whether that was when I was there or, now, as a professional and a mom. He still keeps tabs on everybody and he really cares about the people who he coached and who he was a part of. And that’s saying a lot, because he was there for 43 years, and he still texts us on our birthdays. He knows what’s important. He knows how important it is to have those connections and to make them. He’s so genuine with it. It sometimes doesn’t come off that way, because he’s coach, but I love him to death and I will do anything for him.”

What’s it like seeing Megan Hodge Easy as part of the staff now?

“Amazing. Megan was actually the first person I knew who’s a mom and came back to play. I saw her when they came to Ohio State this past year and got to chat with her. She’s obviously a legend at Penn State, a legend in international volleyball as well, and an Olympian. She’s just an icon who I looked up to when I was younger and I was watching her dominate. On my recruiting visit [to Penn State], Alisha (Glass) was my host, so it was kind of a full-circle moment watching her across the net. We have banter back and forth, if she blocked me or if she dug me. I was 15 when I met her, and now I’m 30. We still have that banter that we had back then, so it’s been so much fun.”

What was it like getting a chance to speak to the Penn State players and impart some wisdom last season while the team was in Columbus?

“There are some girls who are transfers and there are girls who are stepping into big shoes and big roles. When you wear that Penn State jersey, you wear it with pride and know that nothing was given to you. You earned your spot there. You play for the people who came before you and the people who will aspire to be you one day — and to live up to the legacy and know that it’s not easy, it’s a big burden to carry, but you’re there for a reason. It’s totally amazing to wear a Penn State jersey and to have that.”

How would you describe the support you’ve received from your husband, Mitch, and the rest of your family? What does that mean to you?

“I would not be here, doing this, if I didn’t have him, first and foremost. He allows me to do this and be fully committed to it. I’ve struggled sometimes trying to find the balance of what [being a] mom is like and then to be an athlete. I have definitely not gotten it perfect, but as soon as the game is over, I switch into mom mode. It makes losing a little bit easier, because I know that I get to go home to her and to my husband. Also, my parents and my in-laws are fantastic and help us out along the way.”

What’s it like playing with setter Tori (Dilfer) Stringer?

“She’s a baller. She brings us something that was kind of missing, and that’s not a knock on Gabby [Blossom] at all. I think it’s kind of the nature of the business, it is what it is, and it sucks. We loved Gabby and all that she brought to the table. Tori just is a little bit different. She got a chance to play with us tonight. She stepped into that role, a very, very difficult role only having set us three practices or something like that, and did phenomenal. I think she just needs to continue to grow and build bonds and trust with the team. That will come the more repetitions we have. I have nothing but good things to say about her and the energy that she brought. She’s fun to play with.”

What was it like watching Micha [Hancock] and Haleigh [Washington] win gold at the Tokyo Olympics?

“Emotional, because they’re my two former teammates, but also I was part of that team [as an alternate] and was emotionally close with everyone on that team, and know the grind that everyone went through, personally, individually, as a whole. It was just a really surreal moment. I broke down in tears for all of them and all of the work that myself and the whole entire squad put together, whether they were there for two weeks in the gym or they made the team and they won gold and they got that last point that Jordan [Larson] had. [I’m just] really proud of the players and the team that I was a part of and know that they’re great human beings as well. I wish them all the best and love them all so much. They’re all kicking ass in their respective leagues right now.”

What advice do you have for Team USA heading into the Paris Olympics this summer?

“They don’t need advice. Not from me, at least. They have what it takes and they know that. When I was there, we knew that. The coaches give them a great game plan every time. There’s always a target on our backs. They know that. I think there are going to be some different rules this year. Just the fact that they have the target on their backs means that they’re doing something right. It’s really exciting to be a part of. I love being a fan of them now, because it’s definitely a grueling time, and a lot of sacrifices go into being on that team. It’s just so fun to watch them continue to do their thing.”

What impresses you about Jess Mruzik as a player?

“She has it all. Lately, I think a college athlete who plays outside hitter, it’s rare now that they do everything, that they can pass, they can serve, they can hit high balls, they can block, they defend well. They always can count on her in whatever skill, not just killing the ball, but she has a good serve. I think she just brings a very steady, calming presence, but is also kind of fiery at the same time, and that gives her some advantages over other people.”

Have you ever had a chance to speak with Caroline Jurevicius? What advice do you have for her as a fellow Ohioan?

“I talked to her when she was [initially] being recruited by Penn State a long time ago, and then she ended up making the decision to go to Nebraska, but I have not talked to her since then. I’m excited [she’s at Penn State now]. She’s a big player, a big name, and obviously, her dad is a Penn Stater, too. She has some big shoes to fill and she understands that I think. I’m excited to watch her play.”

How would you describe the competitive nature of volleyball in Ohio and the Midwest in general?

“I think the Midwest is probably the hotbed. It’s where the Big Ten is. It’s where all the club teams are that used to compete and beat each other up at each tournament [when I played]. Obviously, the competitiveness starts from when the kids are really young. At 13-14, they’re figuring out how to play, and it goes up the ladder from there. What the club teams are doing now, at that young of an age, is obviously still being seen in the college game and then in the professional leagues now. I think Ohio brings really good energy toward volleyball. They’ve jumped on the bandwagon a lot, especially with us in Columbus. I think Columbus loves sports teams that win, so we’re going to do our best to make sure that we keep trying to do that, because they’re pretty grueling when you don’t win. It’s been fun to be a part of this.”