Good things usually happen when a team has 3 players with double-digit points in a match. Junior RS Kennedy Martin ( 31 points, 26 kills, .315 hitting), Sr. MB Maggie Mendelson (13 points, 12 kills, 18 errorless swings), and RS So. OH Caroline Jurevicius (11.5 points, 11 kills and a season-high .421 hitting percentage) were the 3 players for Penn State last night.  But when the other team has 4 players with double-digit points — as Oregon did — well, coaches are living in interesting times.  Penn State downed Oregon last night  3-1, but every set was close (25-22, 23-25, 25-23, 27-25). 

RS Sr. setter Addie Lyon had a strong match for the Nittany Lions, directing Penn State to .341 hitting for the match, totaling 47 assists, a team-high 14 digs, 3 kills on 4 errorless swings, and 2 service aces.  Sr. libero Gillian Grimes totaled 11 digs, as did Jr. DS Joce Nathan.  RS Sr. MB Jordan Hopp led the team with 5 blocks (1 solo).

With the win, Penn State’s overall record is 11-7 (5-3 in the B1G).  Oregon sits at 12-6 and 3-5 in the B1G.

Post-Match Press Conference

After the match, Kennedy Martin and Caroline Jurevicius kindly met for exclusive interviews with DigNittany’s Ethan Kasales.  Below is the transcript of those interviews, lightly edited for length and clarity:

Kennedy Martin

Ethan Kasales: What were some of the things you thought you did well toward the end of the match to kind of put it over the edge there?

Kennedy Martin: I feel like I did a better job managing the sets I was getting, whether they’re out of system or in system, and putting it in a place that gave us an advantage in the rally.

Ethan Kasales: What are some of the things you’ve done to help improve your serve this season?

Kennedy Martin:  Just really being intentional with creating a repeatable routine and practice, so in the game, it’s the exact same thing — there’s no room for any change.

Ethan Kasales: Growing up with a dad who played in the NFL [Ruvell Martin, who played as a wide receiver in the NFL for 8 seasons with 5 teams], how did he influence you from a competitive standpoint?

Kennedy Martin: He’s a lot of the reason why I think the way I think today. He’s one of my biggest role models in the sports world. He’s helped me a lot throughout my whole career.

Ethan Kasales: What are some ways that you go about dealing with pressure? Obviously, you have a lot on your shoulders.

Kennedy Martin:  I just try not to let it get too out of this world. Like, at the end of the day, it’s just a game, and win or lose — obviously, I want to win — but at the end of the day, I’m alive, I’m blessed, and I [am doing] work that I love.

Ethan Kasales: What’s your relationship like with your teammates? You guys obviously seem really close.

Kennedy Martin:   Yeah, we are really close. That’s something that I was really looking for in the transfer portal, and I think it really helps that we’ve got a bunch of good people on the team. So we click pretty well.

Ethan Kasales: What are some of your earliest memories of watching Penn State, or just being aware of the volleyball program here?

Kennedy Martin:  Here at Penn State, you think of Russ Rose and his legacy, and there’s a lot of power that comes behind that.

Ethan Kasales:  Have you had a chance to speak with Russ yet?

Kennedy Martin:   He’s been around a little bit, but I’ve kind of been waiting until he talks to me first. He’s so legendary and a little intimidating.”

Ethan Kasales: What are some things you want to work on personally the rest of the season?

Kennedy Martin:  I really want to work on my blocking a lot more. I think I can be a lot more of an issue for the other team than I am right now blocking wise. And I just want to keep working on my right-back defense and doing a good job of getting my eyes to the hitter faster so I can see whether it’s a hit or a tip coming my way.

Ethan Kasales: How would you assess Maggie Mendelson’s play? She’s been really consistent lately.

Kennedy Martin: She’s awesome. You see them the ball go to her, and you’re just like “We’re done. Point’s over.” It’s awesome. She’s been awesome.

Ethan Kasales: How do you assess the play of your back court this year? Obviously, Gill [Grimes] and Ava [Falduto] have done a lot. Juice [Nathan] as well.

Kennedy Martin: I think it’s definitely improving, and it’s something that I’m pretty harsh on myself for, but hopefully it continues to be better.

Ethan Kasales: What are some things you’ve learned from Gill as far as passing goes?

Kennedy Martin: Honestly, just keeping it pretty simple — either moving my feet or my arms, but not necessarily both, because that kind of makes too many variables.

Ethan Kasales:  Do you have any athletes or volleyball players you admired growing up?

Kennedy Martin:  Sophie Fischer. She plays professionally now, I’m not sure where — I think she’s with Athletes Unlimited — but she was with LOVB last year. But yeah, she was a senior at my high school when I was a freshman.

Ethan Kasales:  What was your background? As far as club volleyball goes?

Kennedy Martin: I played it for a long time. I played at the local rec league that a mom just put together when I was in fifth grade and I’ve been playing ever since.

Ethan Kasales: Is that how you were introduced to volleyball?

Kennedy Martin: I think my mom sent us to a summer camp when I was in third grade. So that was the first time I remember doing volleyball. But yeah, she just sent us to eat breakfast, lunch there, and “I’ll pick you up at 3:00 p.m. (or 5:00 p.m.)”

Ethan Kasales: Did you play any other sports growing up?

Kennedy Martin: Yeah, I played soccer, basketball, I did ballroom dancing, I did gymnastics. Did a lot.

Ethan Kasales: How do you think having that varied background has helped you in volleyball?

Kennedy Martin: I think, like, playing all those sports, when I started volleyball, I knew I loved it right away. I was pretty passionate about it.

Ethan Kasales: What are some things you enjoy most about being around Katie and the staff?

Kennedy Martin: Oh my gosh, they’re awesome. Like, they truly are my safe space to go to whenever I’m getting a little worked up. I’m able to just go to them and they’re able to give me a quick, clean critique, and I can implement it in a game.

Ethan Kasales: What are some things you like about the new Greenberg Sports Complex? [The Greenberg Indoor Sports Complex is Penn State’s newly renovated, state-of-the-art facility dedicated to supporting varsity student-athletes across all 31 sports programs through centralized performance dining, wellness and recovery, and academic support. It officially opened in August 2025, and serves over 800 varsity student-athletes.]

Kennedy Martin: It’s awesome. I’ve been using the hyperbaric chamber and the red light bed cool tubs, and it’s so nice to have. I mean, it’s open for a while into the night too, so it’s nice to go after dinner or after practice.

Ethan Kasales:  Do you have any hobbies or passions outside of volleyball that you think fans would be surprised about?

Kennedy Martin: Maybe not surprised, but I’m really big into my faith. It’s really important to me. It kind of stinks, like playing on Sundays or traveling on Sundays [because I can’t] do church as often as I want to.  But I joined the PSCA — the Penn State Christian Athlete group here, and they’ve been so welcoming, and a huge reason of why I’ve been able to make friends outside of just volleyball, like with other athletes.

Ethan Kasales: Last question. What’s it like just being on these road trips? Obviously, it’s a far one, but have you guys been able to do some sightseeing and just time off the court?

Kennedy Martin:  I love a good road trip. We were home for most of September, which is so nice, but at the same time, it is super nice to explore. I’ve been to Eugene a few times because my boyfriend did track here last year. So I was like, “Ooh, we got to go to this coffee shop, guys. It’s so good.” And Seattle is fun to go to too. So, yeah, awesome.

Ethan Kasales: Thanks so much. Safe travels.

Caroline Jurevicius

Ethan Kasales: What were some of the things you thought you guys did well at the end of the match, to pull it out there?

CJ: I think we did a really good job just pulling it together and understanding that it was now or never. We played a really, really long match [Friday] night. We also played a super gritty Oregon team tonight. The atmosphere was incredible, but also at the same time, we’re used to environments like those, and you train and have intensity, so it was just a matter of trusting our training.

Ethan Kasales: How important will be to clean up the serving a little bit for you guys moving forward?

CJ:  I think that’s the most pivotal thing for us right now –because I think we’re playing really, really good ball — we just shoot ourselves in our own feet when we can’t get a ball over the net and live to fight a chance.

Ethan Kasales: What are some of the things that you think you’ve improved on throughout the season to be a little more consistent?

CJ: I think that my preparation before matches has become a lot more consistent. And I think my realization that I’m 21 years old, I kind of have to start playing like a big girl, and it’s now or never. Having that mindset has been huge for me.

Ethan Kasales: What’s it been like playing with Kennedy, learning some things from her, and then obviously, just watching her ball out?

CJ: She’s just an incredible player and an even more incredible human being. The thing she does for me mentally in terms of grounding — I can’t thank her enough for that. What she does for this program is something that is needed this season more than ever.

Ethan Kasales: What’s your relationship like with Addie and how has your connection grown?

CJ:  I think our connection has gotten better. I think Wisconsin was when things started to click for us. And Addie has always been a great friend of mine, so I think the friendship comes onto the court — we can joke around with each other, but at the same time, she knows how to hold me accountable.

Ethan Kasales: What are some of the things that you’ve enjoyed from this coaching staff this season? Obviously, going through some tough times, but bouncing back as well.

CJ:  They know how to joke around. They know how to have a good time. They’re intense people, but I thrive around intense people. And yeah, I love them. I wouldn’t trade them for the world.

Ethan Kasales: How would you describe just the Penn State volleyball program in general, to those who maybe don’t know exactly what goes on day to day?

CJ:  The Penn State volleyball program is something that I will cherish being a part of forever, and I love these girls more than anything, and I will be friends with these people for the rest of my life. I can’t thank this program enough for what it’s done for me.

Ethan Kasales: What are some things that being at Penn State, or just a volleyball player in general, has helped improve the quality of your life?

CJ:  Penn State’s given me so many connections, career wise. I have options for what I’m going to do once the last ball drops because of what the school is giving me — academics, friendships. My friends that don’t even play sports.  In a small town of State College, I just love it all. It makes me so happy. I love this school more than anything, and I’m proud to call myself a Penn Stater.

Ethan Kasales: Thanks so much. Safe travels.

Box Score

#	Player	SP	K	E	TA	%	A	E	SA	SE	BS	BA	BE	DIG	BHE	RE	Pts
7	Alanah Clemente	4	23	7	52	0.308	0	0	0	5	0	3	0	3	0	0	24.5
8	Valentina Vaulet	4	10	3	28	0.250	0	0	1	5	0	2	0	1	0	1	12
14	Iva Sucurovic	4	6	0	10	0.600	0	0	3	2	0	4	0	1	0	0	11
13	Sophia Meyers	4	9	5	32	0.125	1	0	1	1	0	1	0	15	0	2	10.5
9	Holley McFadden	4	2	1	6	0.167	0	0	0	0	2	2	0	0	0	0	5
2	Reese Sheppard	4	0	0	0	0.000	6	0	3	2	0	0	0	12	0	2	3
6	Cora Taylor	4	0	0	2	0.000	36	0	1	1	0	1	0	7	0	0	1.5
46	Natalie Fukumoto	4	0	0	0	0.000	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	1	0
10	Maria Tabacuks	1	0	0	0	0.000	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Total			50	16	130	0.262	48	0	9	16	2	13	0	43	0	7	67.5

Box Score