Russ Rose Then (1999): “I think Nadia continues to make great progress in the program. She’s an incredibly hard worker and disciplined. We’re going to have an opportunity to see what Nadia can do this year. She’s going to receive a lot more opportunities to play than she’s had over the last couple of years. She hits the ball hard and she hits the ball quick. If we can keep her tight on the net on blocking, I think she’s going to be able to make a great contribution.”
Russ Rose Now (2025): “Nadia and Katie were partners in crime, as they both redshirted in their first year. A great teammate. Very strong net player, quick in the middle, very strong. After college she went on and played professionally for a while, and also was in coaching for a while [head coach at DePaul from 2010 to 2017]. She works as a fundraiser at Notre Dame.”
1999 Season (Redshirt Sophomore): Highlights and Awards: 1999 National Champion.
Season Recap: Played in 23 of 37 matches (starting 7) and 51 of 125 sets … ranked 3rd on the team with 1.04 blocks/set … ranked 6th on the team with 1.47 kills/set, with a team-best .403 hitting percentage … recorded 16 digs for the season … led team in blocks against Kansas State with 7 … piayed in only one set against Florida (8/27) where she had 1 block assist … had spectacular blocking performance against Nebraska (8/28) with 3 key solo blocks and 2 block assists that turned the match around … had 2 kills with 3 blocks (1 BS, 2 BA) against Akron (9/3) … 1n first collegiate start, vs. Bradley (9/4) she tallied 6 kills while hitting .556 with 2 block assists … followed up in match with Maryland (9/4) with another .556, adding 4 block assists … knocked down a .571 attack percentage (4 kills, 0 errors, 7 attacks) with 5 blocks in win over Toledo (9/11) … led team with 7 blocks and added 5 kills and 1 dig while hitting .625 against Kansas State (9/11) … had a match-high .545 attack percentage (7 kills) in start against No. 8 Texas (9/17) … followed up next night by knocking down a match-high 7 blocks for 4-set win over the Longhorns (9/18) … piayed one set at Ohio State (10/27) where she recorded 4 kills while hitting .429.
NCAA Tournament: Did not record an error in 9 attacks in the NCAA tournament, leading the team with an .889 hitting percentage … came off the bench and knocked down 7 kills in 8 attacks to hit .875 in 1st Round sweep of Robert Morris (12/3).
1998 Season (Redshirt Freshman)
Before Penn State: Four-time all conference selection at Lincoln-Way High School; also earned All-Area honors three times and All-State once. Volleyball Monthly “Fab 50” selection in 1997; two-time team MVP; chosen as captain her junior year; member of the USA Junior National Team for 1999, 1998, and 1997; played club three seasons for Chicago Juniors.
“Edwards’ skills go beyond courtside,” The Daily Collegian, Nov. 10, 1999
