Penn State Volleyball Aims To Split Series With Pitt

Posted on by Ethan Kasales

The Penn State women’s volleyball program will wrap up its two-match spring exhibition series with Pitt Friday at 6 p.m. at Rec Hall.

The Nittany Lions won a dominant first set at Fitzgerald Field House in Oakland last Sunday before falling 3-1 (25-18, 22-25, 26-28, 24-26) to a veteran Panthers team, which is coming off three consecutive trips to the Final Four. Admission for Friday’s match is free of charge. Doors open one hour before first serve.

Heralded freshmen Izzy Starck and Ava Falduto and Nebraska transfers Maggie Mendelson and Caroline Jurevicius made their Penn State debuts Sunday. New assistant coach Mike Henchy was also on Penn State’s bench for the first time. Fans will surely be excited to see how the four newcomers perform in their first match at Rec Hall, as the Nittany Lions aim to split the series 1-1 with a win over their in-state rivals.

Katie Schumacher-Cawley, who is entering her third season as head coach of her alma mater, caught up with DigNittanyVolleyball following Sunday’s match. Seniors Jess Mruzik and Quinn Menger, two of the frontrunners to handle captain duties in 2024, also answered questions after the loss. The transcripts of our conversations with them can be found below.

Katie Schumacher-Cawley

What were some of your takeaway’s from the match?

“I think the serve-pass game is key. It was nice to see our team play against a different team, besides ourselves in practice. I thought we did some things well and need to be able to close out a set when you have opportunities to win. I thought Izzy [Starck] did a nice job of moving the ball around. I thought Maggie [Mendelson] and Taylor [Trammell] did a really good job blocking and being available. I think, individually, everyone did a couple things really well. We have to be better.”

What were some of the positives you noticed in that first set?

“I think we came out and started quick and were ready to go. Even though we had a couple missed serves, I thought we regrouped well. We won the longer rallies and I thought we passed better in the first set than we did the rest of the day. I think those are all things that the players know they need to get better at and work on. We have a couple days this week to do that. I’m looking forward to getting back in the gym.”

How would you assess the play of your newcomers and how they’ve gelled with the team?

“They’ve been here long enough now and have been training with the team all semester. I think it’s a really great group and they’re good to each other. I think everyone’s fitting in well. We just have to get better.”

What kind of challenges did [Olivia] Babcock and [Rachel] Fairbanks pose for you guys?

“I think they’re great players. I think they’re experienced. They see the floor well. I just think they’re aggressive players and they lead. I didn’t expect anything less than that.”

What were some of the positives you saw from Gill [Grimes] and the other defensive specialists?

“I thought Gill did a good job defensively, made some good moves, and got better as the match went on. It was nice to see Ava [Falduto] and ‘Juice’ [Nathan] out there. I would like to see them be a little bit more vocal, but it’s the first time on the floor for a lot of them. I’m happy with how they competed, but again, you need to be able to finish.”

How would you assess Jess [Mruzik’s] play?

“Jess is an aggressive player. She’s fun to watch. She’s a great leader. We wanted to give her a little bit of time to rest, too, and see what other players can do. I’m excited for her to have one more season with us.”

You were able to try some different lineup combinations. What was that like? How valuable was that?

“I think the key is to be flexible, and we talk to them all the time about that. We make them play different positions in practice, so I think it’s just being comfortable doing that, and being better when it’s uncomfortable.”

What are some things you would like to see from your team before Friday’s match?

“I would like to see us get back to work tomorrow, get better, and to be focused for a longer period of time — to continue to push each other and know that, even though it’s a short window of time left, that you have to get better.”

The NCAA announced that you can start preseason practice five days earlier than previous years. How valuable will that be?

“I think it’s great. To be able to have those extra days and get the team moving in the right direction earlier is a nice thing. You get better by being in the gym.”

What are some things that you’re most pleased about seeing from the team so far this spring?

“I think they understand what they need to do and I think that they’re holding each other accountable, really pushing themselves to be better. We have a really good, core group returning from last year. I think they understand the value of being ready to go right from the start. They need to continue to do that the rest of this spring and throughout the summer.”

What would it mean to have a big crowd for Friday’s match? Do you expect many alums to come back?

“Well, Carp’s (Kristin Carpenter Steadman) here. Carp’s always here. I love seeing her and her family. Shannon (Bortner) Werner, Macy [Van Den Elzen], Allie [Holland], and Ally [Van Eekeren] will be there [Friday]. We’re looking forward to playing at Rec Hall. I think a lot of the newcomers who have never played on main floor are excited to be there. Obviously, it’s a special place. We want to give our fans a great show and show them what we’ve been working on.”

What’s it been like incorporating Mike [Henchy] onto the staff?

“Mike’s great. He fits in perfectly with us. He has a great mind for the game. I’m really excited he’s with Penn State.”

Jess Mruzik

What were some of the positives you noticed, especially in that first set?

“It was our first match. I think there were a lot of positives that can be taken away from that. They’re a Final Four team. Almost everyone who played today, minus a couple people who graduated, were in the Final Four. We won the first set. I think it’s good momentum for us. It was our first match, so it was good to see some of our weaknesses. They definitely exposed some of them. But I think it’s just good momentum to carry throughout the week and go into Friday with that on your shoulders, and hopefully get a win on Friday.”

What were some of the challenges that Babcock and Fairbanks presented?

“We played together at USA [training camp] in Anaheim a couple weeks ago. They’re pretty gnarly players. They’re so deceptive. Fairbanks is just such a good setter. She moves the ball around super well. Same with Babcock. She’s young, but she’s fiery, and she has a good feel for the game. I respect their game a lot. They’re great players, but they’re good people, too. They’re just great.”

What was your experience like in Anaheim? You’ve spent a lot of time with the USA program.

“It was really cool. It’s cool to learn from Karch [Kiraly] and his staff. It’s cool to be able to play with people like Babcock and Fairbanks, because we’re always playing against each other. It’s cool when the best of the best get together and we just get to hang out and play some good volleyball.”

What stands out about the newcomers on your team this year?

“They’re new, but I feel like everyone on this team is the same age. I live with Carol and Maggie. I feel like Ava, Izzy, and them have been around forever. They’re young, but they have a lot of experience, and they have a lot of knowledge of the game. I think that’s something that’s super cool and unique. You don’t usually see that in freshmen and new people.”

What impresses you about Izzy as a setter?

“She’s super athletic. She’s super quick. She has a good feel for the game. She’s really smart. I have so many good things to say about her, because she’s so young and she has such a high ceiling, but she’s so good right now. It’s going to be crazy to see how good she is when she’s a senior.”

What are some things you like about Caroline’s game?

“She’s super aggressive. I think she also has a good feel for the game. I know this was her first official match and it was awesome to see her in a Penn State jersey. She has a huge block, a big presence, and she’s really aggressive. I think that will put us a long way on the right side.”

What has Mike brought to the staff so far?

“He’s super funny. He’s really relatable. He worked with us a lot last week and that was his first week practicing with us. Some of the things that he’s already said are clicking with people. I think he just brings a cool and unique perspective.”

How would you describe the camaraderie of this year’s team?

“We’re really tight-knit. We talk about that all the time, but we hang out with each other every day, on the weekends. We’re always at the men’s games supporting them. I think we’re always locked at the hip, which is a good thing, because that off-the-court camaraderie definitely will translate to on the court.”

What does Joce [Nathan] bring to the team?

“Oh, I love Joce. She’s my handshake partner. She just gets after it. There’s not a ball in the gym that Joce isn’t going for. I think that’s something that she brings to this team and I think that’s something that this team needs, as well.”

How would you describe the energy that Alexa [Markley] brings and her blocking skills, in particular?

“Oh, my god, Alexa springs off the floor like no tomorrow. She’s a big presence. Some of the blocks that she gets are just unreal, ESPN highlight tape. But yeah, she’s awesome. I’m happy that her and I get to bond a little bit more this year and play a little bit more this year together.”

What’s it like watching Mac [Podraza] in the [Pro Volleyball Federation]?

“It’s cool. It’s definitely bittersweet, because I miss her. I used to live with her. She and I are really close. We talk every day and I know she’s really enjoying it. It’s really cool to see her be a part of something so special.”

What do you think it will be like being back in Rec Hall and being in that environment?

“I’ve missed Rec Hall. I’m really excited that people are in town for the wrestling Olympic trials and people are in town for the EIVA tournament for the men, so I’m hoping that we get a good crowd. I know we will. Rec never lets me down.”

Quinn Menger

What were some of the positive takeaways from the match? It obviously wasn’t the result you guys wanted.

“It’s really exciting this spring to compete against someone besides yourself. I think it’s a great opportunity to learn. Obviously, we focused on starting on time, but being consistently good is something we can learn from. They’re a good team. They’re a Final Four team. They’re definitely beatable for us. I’m excited to play them again on Friday.”

As a setter yourself, what’s it like watching Izzy do her thing?

“I’ve loved watching her compete this spring. She’s willing to learn. She’s asking tons of questions. She wants to get better. I definitely think she can go the distance and be one of the greats. It’s good for her to get out here and compete in a Penn State jersey, shake the nerves out a little bit. She’s a great defensive player. She can hit. She’s a good offensive player. She has a great mind and IQ for volleyball. It’s fun watching her play, competing against each other, and learning from each other.”

What does Ava bring to the team?

“For starters, she’s a great teammate. She’s very sweet. She’s the best kid. She always has a smile on her face. She really gets the Penn State attitude. She’s willing to work, willing to grind. I think anyone who gets that deserves to be in our gym. She’s someone who has propelled this whole spring. She’s strong, she’s fast, she just needs to be a little bit more talkative, but that will come with time. I’m excited for her.”

What are some things you know about college volleyball now that you didn’t as a freshman?

“Oh, geez. I don’t know. Looking back on it, I wish I had a little bit more fun. It’s not always that serious. It’s a game we all love to play. That’s what got us here. I tell our freshmen all the time, ‘Just smile and have fun.’ That’s the whole point. I think it’s fast and it’s exciting. I’m excited that it’s growing for women’s sports, women’s volleyball. I’m excited to see where it goes.”

What are your favorite things about Mike? What does he bring to the staff?

“He’s been great. He hasn’t even been around for a week and we’ve all learned at least one or two things from him. We just adore him. He has his master’s degree in physical movement, which was something for me, when he was applying — we interviewed him and that stood out to me, because the way he phrases things, the way he watches you move, it correlates and it translates, the way he gives that direction. I just adore him. I think he’s going to be a really good asset for us.”

What are some things you saw from Alexa today that were positive?

“Alexa’s the same. She’s willing to work, willing to grind. Today, it showed. She’s gotten a lot smarter. She has high hands, better blocking moves, and I think that showed today, offensively and defensively.”

What have you been working on, personally, this offseason?

“Like I said earlier, I’m just trying to have fun. This is my last spring season. If I can make Izzy better, that’s my job. If I’m having fun and I’m competing in the gym and kicking the starting team’s ass, then I’m doing what I’m supposed to do. I’m just trying to soak it in, you know? So, we’ll see.”

What was it like getting on the court and playing a little bit?

“Oh, good. I’m excited to put one of my serves in. It’s good. I’m happy to touch a ball again and, like I said, compete against someone new. I’ll take any chance I can get.”

What are some things you want to see from the team heading into Friday?

“We still have time to get better. It’s a short window, quick turnaround, but we have good film. We’re going to turn around and we’re going to look to kick their butts. I’m excited to see us compete a little harder and hopefully take a win in Rec Hall. That would be nice to see.”