Following their opening match, the Nittany Lions had a 2-match day and came out victorious in both. Gabrielle Nichols (10k, 6 blocks and 1 ace) and Ryla Jones (3k, 5 blocks and 5 aces) led the team with a victory against the High Point Panthers in 5-sets (20-25, 25-13, 25-19, 24-26, 15-10). A few hours later the Nittany Lions swept the Hofstra Pride (25-20, 25-9, 25-23) with Kennedy Martin (17k, 1 block and 3 aces) and Whitney Lauenstein (14k, 3 blocks and 1 ace)
Match 1: vs. High Point
After a quick turnaround, it looked like the Nittany Lions needed to overcome the early 10 AM start and the High Point Panthers. The Nittany Lions struggled with their offense only hitting 0.182 throughout the match. However, the Lions found different ways to score as they scored 15 aces, a Penn State rally-score era record for a 5-set match. For the second straight match, fifteen different players got court time. Eleven different players contributed points for the Nittany Lions with Gabrielle Nichols (10k, 0.563 hitting percentage) and Finley Krystkowiak (9k, 0.353 hitting percentage) being offensive bright spots.
Ryla Jones came in and put up a serving clinic putting High Point out of system for most of her serves and contributing 5 aces in addition to her 3 kills and 5 blocks. Kennedy Martin (6k, 2 aces, 4 blocks and 8 digs) had an uncharacteristic offensive match but still found ways to contribute to the team with her serving and defense. Despite the lower-than-normal hitting percentage, setters Alexis Stucky (28 assists, 1k, 1 ace, 2 blocks) and Danielle Whitmire (16 assists, 1 block) distributed the ball among TEN different players that had kills. Ava Falduto showed her defensive mettle as had a season-high 22 digs.
The Nittany Lions look to be improving their blocking and service pressure where they finished in 14th and 11th in the Big Ten. Passing will need to show consistency to allow the fast offense of the Nittany Lions to flourish.
Match 2: vs. Hofstra
After a tough match with High Point, the Nittany Lions were up against the 2-0 Hofstra Pride. The Nittany Lions stuck to their offensive juggernauts Kennedy Martin (17k, 3 aces, 1 block, 8 digs) and Whitney Lauenstein (14k, 1 ace, 3 blocks, 3 digs) who combined for 37.5 of the 55 points the Nittany Lions scored. Alexis Stucky led the team to a 0.326 hitting efficiency including a 0.600 hitting efficiency in set 2. Ava Falduto continued to be a defensive presence with 13 digs.
The Nittany Lions will need to bring the service pressure and blocking they showed in the High Point match and their offensive firepower in the Hofstra match as they next face #3 Kentucky Wildcats on September 6th in a historic match in Wrigley Field in Chicago.
Post-Match Press Conference
After the match, Coach Katie, Ava Falduto, and Ryla Jones answered questions from the media. Below is a transcript of the questions and answers, lightly edited for length and clarity.
Opening Statement by Coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley.
Thanks for coming! We appreciate the support and thought it was a tournament with some really good teams. It was nice to see us finish on a win and see everyone contribute to the team’s success.
Question: Players, you guys had a five set match with High Point earlier today and then had another match this evening (against Hofstra).
Ryla Jones: We did lots of film treatment and recovery. I think after the first match we just regrouped and had some goals that we wanted to make sure we accomplish in the next one.
Ava Falduto: Yeah, High Point pushed us really well this morning, but we knew we had more to give tonight, so we made sure to rest and get our film in and ready for tonight’s match.
Question: Coach, you guys hit .600 in the second set. What was working during that set for you?
Coach Katie: I thought we passed well and I think Stucky did a good job of getting the hitters one on one and they found ways to score. So I think when we pass well, she can move the ball around really well.
Question: Serving was a strength this morning and pretty solid tonight too. How would you attribute that to the team’s success?
Coach Katie: You know, it’s something we do every day. And I thought Ryla had a good weekend serving. So did Ava. It’s about being aggressive from the end line and finding other ways to score and get them off the net. So I thought we did a nice job of serving aggressive all weekend.
Question: Ryla, what are some things that you’ve enjoyed about just playing on this team this year?
Ryla Jones: I definitely say, like, the community aspect of it. I feel like I have really great relationships with all my teammates and so when they’re pushing me to be better and like work a lot harder, it’s kind of coming from a place of good intention and I can feel that from them. And then the coaches all around are just amazing.
Question: Coach, Whitney had 14 kills vs. Hofstra, 6 vs. High Point. Can you kind of talk about the impact she’s had?
Coach Katie: Yeah Whit takes some big swings and she’s got the green light. I think we can help her find ways to manage the ball a little bit more. But, you know, she’s aggressive and wants to score and wants the ball a lot. I’m glad she’s on our side of the net.
Question: Coach. It seemed like Kennedy had a little more success with a bit of a higher set. Was that something that you guys were focusing on?
Coach Katie: Yes. I mean Kennedy’s 6′ 6″ and we can stretch her out a little bit. I thought she did a really nice job, though, of finding the open court, and she went for it. So she’s really aggressive and thought she had a great day.
Question: Ava, what has Ryla brought to the team this year?
Coach Katie: Ryla is awesome. She brings a lot of fire as a person, but she pushes us in practice every single day. She’s got a really good serve, but as an attacker and as a blocker, she’s done a really good job elevating our gym every single day. She pushes the people around her (to elevate) the most.
Question: Ryla, what did you think of the gray jerseys you guys had today?
Ryla Jones: I think it’s different, and we love something different, so I think we’re all. We’re such a beautiful team. (laughs)
Question: What are you guys most looking forward to about heading to Wrigley Field?
Coach Katie: I’m actually looking forward to getting a good night’s sleep tonight. I know these guys are, too (laughs). I mean, being able to play at a venue like Wrigley Field and against Kentucky, who is very good. I think Women’s volleyball has really taken a step forward, and it’ll be an exciting week for us.
Question: Are you’re going to have a chance to practice outside before you take the court at Wrigley Field?
Coach Katie: Yeah, we’re gonna try to practice outside Wednesday here, so if the weather holds up, we’ll get over to the soccer practice turf field.