For the first time since September 23, 2015, Penn State swept Wisconsin in Rec Hall (25-20, 25-21, 25-16), led by Kennedy Martin’s 26 points (23 kills on .474 hitting).
Martin didn’t waste any time, putting down 10 kills in the 1st set (on .692 hitting), to go with 2 aces and 2 blocks. Maggie Mendelson made her presence felt in the middle, posting 10 kills on .320 hitting, with 2 blocks. Caroline Jurevicius recorded 7 kills for the match. Addie Lyon had a solid performance, directing Penn State to .296 hitting for the match and dishing 32 assists.
The Nittany Lion defense held Wisconsin to .151 hitting, with Gillian Grimes totaling 9 digs, Kennedy Martin 8 digs, and Ava Falduto 7 digs.
The win moved Penn State’s all-time record against the Badgers to 51-16 overall, and 28-3 at Rec Hall. Penn State is now 9-6 overall and 3-2 in the Big Ten.
Post-Match Press Conference
After the match, Coach Katie, Maggie Mendelson and Kennedy Martin answered questions from the media. Below are the questions and answers, lightly edited for length and clarity.
Opening Statement – Coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley
Thanks for coming, guys. I know there’s a lot of festivities going on, and we appreciate you being here. I think it was a great team effort tonight. I think these two [Maggie Mendelson and Kennedy Martin] played lights out. And I thought Addie set a great match. I thought everyone did their job. We served aggressive, played great defense, and I’m proud of the work that the team put in during the week to be better. This was a huge win.
Question: You beat the #7 team in the country. Not only did you beat them, you swept them. How did the team pull it off? What was the message heading into this match?
Coach Katie: This conference is relentless, and I think the team understands that. You have to flip it fast and put work in during the week and get better. I feel confident about what they’re doing, and I think they’re doing the right things off the court, and that is helping them be successful.
Question: Coach. How important was it to get both middles going offensively tonight?
Coach Katie: That’s something that we’ve been talking about a lot. When we can pass well, and they’re available and find a way to score, [that] is only going to free up the pin hitters. I think Jordan and Maggie have been working really hard about being available and in the air. And I think they’re being pushed by their fellow middles, Gabby and [Catherine] Burke, and practicing to be better. They’re doing what they should be doing, and they can score in this conference.
Question: Coach Wisconsin only had one to ace. What can you say about the serve receive game today for you guys?
Coach Katie: It’s something we talk about every day. We serve and pass every day. It’s one thing to do it every day, but to actually get better at it is something that we’ve been working on and have a real focus on. I thought Juice [Joce Nathan] came in and did a great job. Ava [Falduato], Gill (Grimes], just passing and being confident their skills.
Question: Today was your White Out game and there was a great fan base. Tell me a little bit about what that fan base means to you guys.
Maggie Mendelson: I think Rec Hall is just a super special place, and we fill it a lot, and that’s just really cool — the fact that people are here to show up for us. It just says a lot about what Penn State is, not only as a volleyball program, but as a school. Everybody supports us, which I think you don’t get a lot of places, so it’s just something that we’re really grateful for.
Question: Kennedy, you recorded 23 of the team’s 44 kills today. You were very efficient. What worked so well for you today?
Kennedy Martin: I think me and Addie have been working really hard this week to figure out a connection, and then I knew I could just spin away, because I had girls behind me to cover. That was a good match for the whole team. Running offense coach
Question: With Lexi [Gin’s] performance tonight, how have you seen her improve throughout this season? And do we get to see her more for the rest of the season?
Coach Katie: Lexi’s got a great serve and I’ve been putting the pressure on her to be more aggressive. She’s getting stronger, not only to serve aggressive, but to be able to dig the ball that’s coming back. I think she’s getting better and better. And it’s fun to see.
Question: Kennedy, you had back to back aces. What was going through your mind during that point?
Kennedy Martin: For those, just kind of hit it as hard as I can.
Coach Katie: She closes her eyes and just let’s go.
Kennedy Martin: [laughing] No, for me, the toss is really important on those serves. If the toss is in the right spot, I know my arm will find the slot and just whack it. So those are fun.
Question: Maggie, how would you describe that aggressive comeback in the third set?
Maggie Mendelson: I think that’s something we’ve been practicing all season. So it was really cool to see us put it together. But I think it starts especially from Gill. She really pulls us together, makes us run as a unit, and I thought she did a good job on the leadership side today, and keeping us going. I think we’re down 10-5 and her energy brought us back, for sure.
Question: What were some of the most enjoyable aspects of tonight for the players?
Kennedy Martin: I think the team camaraderie through the whole thing. It felt like all 17 people were here, ready to go at any moment. In timeouts, we would split into our position group pods and everyone was locked in — like, “Hey, you got this, you got this. They’re doing this to defend you. Here’s something you can do to counter that.” So, yeah, just felt like, just really solid. We were fighting as a unit tonight.
Maggie Mendelson: and off-the-court wise, shout out the band. I think they bring a lot of energy for us every day. Great to have in Rec.
Question: What do you guys think of the new uniforms?
Kennedy Martin: They’re nice. Yeah. They fit.
Maggie Mendelson: Big numbers, retro look. We like them. Yeah.
Question: Coach, you guys held Mimi Colyer to 8 kills and a .057 hitting percentage. What did you guys do to prevent her from taking over [the match]?
Coach Katie: I still think she took some really good swings. She’s a really nice player, but I thought defensively, we were in the right spots. The block was getting some blocks, but also slowing the ball down and getting some touches. And the back court was ready to defend. So everyone was locked in and doing what they should be doing.
Question: Coach, what’s the message to the team going into a quick turnaround with Northwestern?
Coach Katie: Yeah, just that. It’s a quick turnaround. Enjoy this win, but we need to leave Rec Hall thinking about Northwestern. That’s how fast you have to do it in this conference. I think Northwestern is playing very well, and I don’t know what they did tonight [they swept Rutgers], but I know they’ll be prepared and ready to go. So we need to be focused and have a good practice in the morning and get off our legs and get some rest.
Question: What did it mean to close this one out in three sets?
Coach Katie: I was really proud of the team for that. I think that’s something that we’ve kind of struggled [with] a little bit, but not only that, but being down a little bit and being able to steady it out and tie it and then to go ahead. But to finish in three is a nice way to do it.
Question: How much momentum does this win give you heading into the final stretch of the season?
Coach Katie: It’s always nice to win in this league. So I think it gives us the confidence to continue to prepare and get better every day we’re in the gym.
Question: Kennedy, what are some things you’ve learned this season?
Kennedy Martin: I’ve learned a lot about my blocking, blocking and defense, I would say. So, just my defensive game in general, and working on my swing block and learning some stuff about right back. So it’s been fun.
Question: Maggie, what’s it like when you guys are having those high energy celebrations on the court there, especially on big points?
Maggie Mendelson: It’s exciting. It’s cool that we get to celebrate that. And I think overall, we had a lot of those big moments today, which was really fun. So I’m excited to keep having those moments as we go along.