Penn State defeated a determined Maryland Terps squad in five sets (25-16, 25-20, 19-25, 23-25, 15-5) at the XFINITY Center at College Park. It was Penn State’s 33rd consecutive win against the Terps.
Kennedy Martin led the match with 25 points (21 kills on .326 hitting, with 4 service aces) and chipped in 11 digs for a double-double. Maggie Mendelson had a strong match with 13 kills (.333 hitting), and Alexis Ewing had a career high 12 kills. Addie Lyon dished out 51 assists and posted 9 digs.
Libero Gillian Grimes totaled 14 digs and 3 service aces, while DS Ava Falduto tied for the match lead with 15 digs.
DigNittany Exclusive Post-Match Interviews with Coach Katie, Maggie Mendelson, and Kennedy Martin
(Lightly edited for length and clarity)
DigNittany: What were some of the positives you noticed today, being able to fight back and play pretty well on that fifth set?
KSC: We showed some grit at the end there. It was a great team effort.
DigNittany: What were some things that Kennedy and Maggie did well today?
KSC: I thought both Kennedy and Maggie took some big swings and found a way to score points for us. They got some good touches at the net and found a way to win.
DigNittany: What are some things you’d like to see from the team moving forward, heading into Wisconsin?
KSC: I think just having a great week of practice and get better and get focused, and be glad that we’re home for another two matches.
DigNittany: Kennedy had four aces today and some pretty big moments. How has her serve improved this season?
KSC: It’s nice seeing her be aggressive from the endline. She can definitely generate some points and get them off the net.
DigNittany: What are some of the things that went well for you guys today.
Maggie Mendelson: I thought that we did a good job of getting some block touches when we needed them, not many blocks today, but I thought we did a good job putting hands on the balls and making sure that we were at least giving our defense a chance to play them.
DigNittany: Some things you enjoy about playing with Kennedy?
Maggie Mendelson: I think she’s a great competitor, a great teammate, and every day everybody’s getting better around her, because she pushes her teammates. And just overall a great human being.
DigNittany: Why do you think you guys were able to turn it around and play well so well in that fifth set?
Kennedy Martin: Our coaches came over and were like “This is your chance to decide to turn it around.” And I think everybody did a great job changing their mindset, and flipping the momentum back on our side, especially on the road.
DigNittany: What are some things [Kennedy] has done well this season, and what are you still working on to improve?
KSC: Scoring points, finding ways to score points. She continues to get better blocking, getting some great touches.
DigNittany: How would you guys describe just the resiliency of the team? Obviously, you’ve gone through some adversity this season, but just bouncing back from that?
Maggie Mendelson: I would say we’re still working on it, like we’re definitely every day going in the gym, just working on volleyball skills, mental skills, and making sure that we’re sharp the next day. But I think still working on it day to day.
DigNittany: What’s it been like working with Addie in the gym, getting those extra reps, trying to get your connection down?
Maggie Mendelson: Addie’s been great. We’ve been in the gym a lot, just trying to make sure that our connection is getting better every day. And I think we’ve done a good job of trying to find the connection that works for both of us.
DigNittany: What were some of the things about Penn State that really drew you to this program when you were in the portal?
Kennedy Martin: Honestly, the girls on the team. I am a big people person, and I want to be surrounded by people that push me to be better and that just want to work hard and are selfless and just really hard working people. And that’s what I saw watching them all throughout last season. And then on my visit, I really felt that as well.
DigNittany: What’s the relationship like with your younger sister. She’s also playing volleyball?
Kennedy Martin: Actually called her the other day, or today, maybe. She’s at the College of Charleston, and I’m super excited to just see how she thrives in the college volleyball world. I mean, she’s an actual beast, so I’m excited. We called her “Juju Beast” at the house. She’s really good.
DigNittany: What are some things you’re most proud of the team for this season,
Maggie Martin: Just bouncing back from adversity and just making sure that we’re all on the same page always. I think that we’ve done a good job of getting our heads down and getting to work. And I think you’re just gonna see more of it as we get going.
DigNittany: What are some things you both enjoy most about playing volleyball?
Maggie Mendelson: I love the team aspect of it. I like the cheering and just the hypeness that comes around it. And I think volleyball is one of the ultimate team sports. So I think you can’t really thrive without your teammates. So that’s what I enjoy.
Kennedy Martin: I agree.
DigNittany: How important will it be to just really focus on your confidence and just taking it one match at a time the rest of the way?
Maggie Mendelson: I think we are confident. I think it’s just the fact that we just need to put it into work and make sure that how we feel inside is how we’re playing on the outside.
Kennedy Martin: Execute our confidence.
Maggie Mendelson: Yes.
DigNittany: How do you describe the team’s leadership this season?
Kennedy Martin: I feel like there’s so many different leaders on this team. We have three captains, but there’s so many people who we have to look towards, on the court, in huddles, and team conversations. I think that’s a really great thing about this program. It’s not really on the shoulders of just one person. We all hold each other accountable to push each other to be better.
DigNittany: What are some of the things that you’re most looking forward to seeing this week in practice from the team focusing on heading into Wisconsin.
Maggie Mendelson: I’m just excited to see how we execute the goals that we have from this game — we had a lot of things shown [to us]. So I’m excited to see how we can put that into practice and execute the things that we need to be better for the next couple games.
DigNittany: What does it mean to you guys to be role models for the younger generation of volleyball players? And what do you enjoy about giving back to the game?
Kennedy Martin: It’s awesome. I mean, it’s truly the sport’s been growing so much. It’s been so awesome to see all the little girls. Tournaments are just like, there’s hundreds and hundreds of girls that go there and have favorite volleyball players. And I feel like it wasn’t really like that when I was playing club. Just so awesome to see, especially my little sisters, watching them play club, and just how much the sport has grown.
DigNittany: As a senior, what’s some of your advice for the younger players, kind of going through a long season,
Maggie Mendelson: I would just say, find the little things that you enjoy, not only in volleyball, but outside of volleyball, and make sure that your head is set, because sometimes volleyball doesn’t go your way, or sometimes you’re having a rough day, so just make sure that outside is good, so you can have a good inside there.
DigNittany: How do you just describe the team’s camaraderie off the court, just spending some time with each other? How important is that?
Maggie Mendelson: I think we’re all really close. I think we all live pretty much in the same neighborhood, so I think that helps. We are always spending time with each other. We have our new eating facilities, we’re always eating together. So I think it’s been really good just to make sure everybody’s on the same page off the court.
DigNittany: How would you just describe the welcome that the team has given you since you got here?
Kennedy Martin: I feel like I’m really in it now, but in June and like in the summer months, here it was. It was really awesome, just all the different team activities we did. We had a summer bucket list that we completed. So yeah, really love these girls. A lot.
Box Score
Match Details
Match Leaders
| # | Player | SP | K | E | TA | % | A | E | SA | SE | BS | BA | BE | DIG | BHE | RE | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Ajack Malual | 5 | 20 | 7 | 48 | 0.271 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 23 |
| 44 | Eva Rohrbach | 5 | 5 | 0 | 15 | 0.333 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11.5 |
| 4 | Haley Melby | 5 | 7 | 3 | 30 | 0.133 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 8 |
| 16 | Sydney Bryant | 4 | 7 | 5 | 19 | 0.105 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7.5 |
| 24 | Ally Williams | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 23 | Duru Gökçen | 5 | 0 | 3 | 10 | -0.300 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 19 | Olivia Ruy | 1 | 2 | 3 | 7 | -0.143 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 26 | Lilly Wagner | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | -0.250 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 7 | Jonna Spohn | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Addie Canady | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 41 | 22 | 133 | 0.143 | 40 | 0 | 7 | 16 | 2 | 14 | 0 | 50 | 0 | 5 | 57 | ||