Post-Match Interviews

After the match the media had a chance to interview Whitney Lauenstein and Coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley.

Whitney Lauenstein

Question: Whit, good game today. What was different here from the UCLA match?

Whitney Lauenstein:  I think we had a lot to prove this game. I think we need to come out firing every single time, that we have a lot to prove, every single game. Because every team in the Big Ten is really good. So, we need to prove something every night, not just pick and choose.

Question: You had 81 swings over the past two games, How do you keep yourself healthy even with a quick turnaround?

Whitney Lauenstein: Well shoulder surgery (laughs). No, I’m kidding. A good recovery is crucial. We do a lot of red light therapy. We’re doing a lot of heat and ice and everything like that. And it’s really nice. I think we have great trainers, great staff and great support staff. You couldn’t do it without them. So I know they’re not always the flashy people, but they are the ones that are working behind the scenes. So thanks to them, my arm is good.

Question: We’re right at the middle of the Big Ten season, what do you think of the performance of the team so far?

Whitney Lauenstein: I think we all know that we could do better. And that’s a good thing, though. We always have to be hungry. We can’t just be, like, complacent. And so I think we all know that we want it to be better. Katie just said it in the locker room, we have nine games left that are guaranteed and we have nine games to come out with our butt on fire and ready to go.

Question: Kendall Northern has come in as a starter and she’s done well. What do you think about her performance recently?

Whitney Lauenstein: I think as a freshman, she’s doing phenomenal. I remember when I was a freshman, I got thrown into the game once in a while, and I’m not always the greatest. It’s really hard to come off the bench. It’s really hard to come off the bench really cold, too. So, I mean, to come off and just be the person she is, not only as a volleyball player but also a human being, and just kind of bring that presence. She’s really quiet, but she’s a freshman. She’s learning, and I really like it. She puts up a great block. She’s always communicating. She’s always asking questions. That’s the best she can do.

Question: Three of the next four games are at home, What does it feel like to play at Rec Hall?

Whitney Lauenstein: I love playing at Rec Hall. I mean, I get to sleep in my own bed, first of all. So that’s, like, yay. No traveling and everything like that, so it makes it a lot less stressful. At home, rehab and everything like that, so we don’t have to travel and do it on the road. Can’t always bring all of our stuff. And then, I mean, the fans! How can you not love them? They’ve been really showing up this year. I know that we haven’t been doing the greatest, but they’ve really been showing up, and that means a lot. Especially at an 11 a.m. game. They’ve really been showing up.

Coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley

Question: Coach, you come out 1-1 this trip. What’s your assessment of the weekend for the girls?

Coach Katie: Yeah, I mean, it was nice to bounce back after Friday night’s match. The conference is so competitive, and it was nice to see us come back in with real fight.

Question: So yesterday was a tough loss, losing to a good UCLA team. What do you think you learned from the UCLA loss, and how did you apply it to this match?

Coach Katie: Yeah, I mean, we were up 17-10 in the fourth there, and you got to find a way to finish and win. UCLA played really well, and I think the girls understand that every team in this conference has great players and just how competitive it is. So to be able to finish and maybe not make as many errors is what we need to do.

Question:  Coach, Whitney (Lauenstein) and Kennedy (Martin) combined for nearly 200 swings over the past two days. What’s it like having two players who can handle that high of a volume?

Coach Katie: They want the ball all the time. They’re aggressive attackers, and we want them taking a lot of swings. They know that’s their role, and they’ll do anything we need to win.

Question: Your liberos are top-notch, with Jocelyn (Nathan) and Ava (Falduto) digging everything. What’s it like having those two at libero, and what does it say about having two good liberos?

Coach Katie: We go back and forth with playing two liberos, and I thought that’s what we needed today. They both did an exceptional job. Ava did a good job passing, and defensively, Juice flies around and covers well. They complement each other and bring great energy to the group.

Question: Emmi Sellman had a good performance this weekend. What can you say about her current form?

Coach Katie: No surprise, Emmi comes in and does her job. She’s passing well, she’ll score for us, and she did a good job setting up the block. She knows her role and did a great job.

Question: Alexis Stucky has been dynamite for you all at the setter position. What’s it like having her as the setter?

Coach Katie: She’s a great player, and she’s getting better every weekend. It’s nice to see her move the ball around. She did a good job setting the middles, and everyone’s scoring points because she’s able to move the ball around well. Defensively, she’s stepped up her game, digging a lot and being aware of what’s going on. She’s getting better and better.

Question: Nia Reed and Alicia Glass Childress in the crowd tonight. What’s it like to have prominent alumni come and watch your away games?

Coach Katie:  Cassie was at our match on Friday too. I love seeing all of our alum and they’re so supportive and I think it’s great for the girls to see them and just the support that they have no matter how long ago you graduated.

Question: You’re in your fifth year as head coach at Penn State. Coming from the Russ Rose tree, what did you learn from him the most?

Coach Katie: I’m so grateful that I not only coached with Coach, but I played for him. I think the pride in Penn State. He is a great leader of this sport, and I learned a lot from him. Not just one thing, but always to trust yourself and get the best out of the players.