Penn State Volleyball August 29 News Rundown

Posted on by Ethan Kasales

It’s been a busy week for news surrounding the Penn State women’s volleyball program, so we compiled 10 notable happenings into one late-August rundown for your convenience.

The Nittany Lions began their 2023 season last weekend at the Road 2 Tampa Bay Invitational, where they lost to both Florida and Georgia Tech in four sets. They have three home matches this weekend at Rec Hall, including a ranked showdown against No. 22 Western Kentucky Friday at 7 p.m., as part of the Penn State Invitational. They will also play Colgate and James Madison Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Below, we’ll touch on what Penn State’s alumnae, current players, and commits have been up to lately. We’ll also highlight a few important notes about the season, including the match themes for several contests that were announced Monday.

Taylor Trammell Named To All-Invitational Team

Senior middle blocker Taylor Trammell was Penn State’s lone representative on the Road 2 Tampa Bay all-invitational team after recording 14 kills, 12 total blocks, two digs, and hitting .406 over the weekend. She joined Florida’s Kennedy Martin and Anna Dixon, Georgia Tech’s Larissa Mendes and Liv Mogridge, and tournament-host USF’s Buse Hazan and Lia Schneider on the team. Trammell and Mac Podraza served as NIL brand ambassadors for the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, which put on the event and helps promote the game of volleyball.

Penn State Slips To No. 14 In AVCA Poll

After checking in at No. 8 in the preseason AVCA poll, Penn State fell six spots in Tuesday’s rankings release, while the Gators climbed three spots to swipe No. 8 and Georgia Tech vaulted nine spots to No. 11 after both teams went 2-0 in Tampa. While it was a humbling way to start the season, the experience will motivate the Nittany Lions to dial in the details in practice and clean up some of the sloppy play fans saw in Tampa.

Ava Falduto & Izzy Starck Help U.S. Finish Sixth At U21 World Championship

Ava Falduto and Izzy Starck, Penn State’s heralded 2024 commits, were called up to represent the United States at the 2023 FIVB U21 World Championship August 17-26 in Mexico. Due to the start of the NCAA season, USA volleyball relied on a talented group of high school players to compete against women several years their senior. Falduto, Starck, and the U.S. squad performed valiantly in the 16-team event, which saw China emerge victorious.

After Missing Beginning Of The Season, They’re Back With Their High School Teams

Falduto and Starck’s teammates and coaches at IC Catholic Prep and Viera High School, respectively, were no doubt thrilled to have their star players rejoin them after returning home from Mexico. The Knights went 1-1 while Falduto was gone, losing to York 2-0 and beating DePaul College Prep 2-1. The Hawks went 0-1 in Starck’s absence, losing to Osceola 3-0. Falduto will make her season debut Tuesday against Gill Grimes’ alma mater, Nazareth Academy, while Starck also plays Tuesday against Palm Bay.

Simone Lee, Kendall White, Serena Gray Win Gold At Pan American Cup Final Six

Penn State women’s volleyball alumnae Simone Lee, Kendall White, and Serena Gray, who played her final two seasons at Pitt after receiving her undergraduate degree from Penn State, returned from the roster that won the bronze medal at the Pan American Cup earlier this month in Puerto Rico. This time, in the Dominican Republic, the U.S. beat the host nation in the championship match, 3-1, thanks in large part to Lee’s dominance. She had 29 points (26 kills, three blocks) Saturday and was named tournament MVP and Best Attacker.

Micha Hancock, Haleigh Washington, Ali Frantti Playing In NORCECA Championship

Hancock, Washington, and Frantti are among 14 players selected to represent USA volleyball at the 2023 NORCECA Continental Championship August 29-September 3 in QuΓ©bec, Canada. Penn State is tied with Nebraska for the most alums on the roster with three apiece. Hancock, who was selected as captain, and Wisconsin’s Lauren Carlini are the setters, while Washington, Wisconsin’s Dana Rettke, and Texas’ Chiaka Ogbogu are the middle blockers head coach Karch Kiraly picked. Frantti is joined in the outside hitter rotation by Nebraska’s Jordan Larson, Stanford’s Kathryn Plummer, and Baylor’s Avery Skinner.

Nia Grant Signs With Pro Volleyball Federation’s Grand Rapids Rise

Nia Grant, who helped the Nittany Lions win their two most recent NCAA national championships as an upperclassman in 2013-14, will make her return to pro volleyball in January 2024. Grant most recently played in the Athletes Unlimited league in 2020-21. She will join Erika Pritchard, who played her final college season with the Nittany Lions in 2021 after a decorated career at Maryland, with the Grand Rapids Rise. Gabby Blossom and Kaitlyn Hord will be teammates on the Columbus Fury, while Kendall White and Nia Reed are members of the Omaha Supernovas.

Quinn Menger, Lina Perugini Latest Nittany Lions To Join Penn State NIL Store

Quinn Menger and Lina Perugini are the latest Penn State women’s volleyball players who will soon have their own merchandise available for purchase through the NIL Store and Campus Ink. Sophomore outside hitter Alexa Markley already has Penn State gear online that fans can buy in order to directly support her NIL efforts. There are currently T-shirts, crewnecks, and hoodies featuring Markley’s name and No. 19 on the store. Keep an eye out for gear featuring Menger and Perugini’s name and number, as well as some of their teammates who may soon join them in this exciting venture.

wRECking Crew To Hold Welcome Meeting On Campus Thursday

The student section for both the Penn State women’s and men’s volleyball programs will hold a welcome meeting for prospective members who are interested in learning more about why they should join the organization and some of the events planned for the year. It will take place Thursday, August 31 at 6:30 p.m. in room 108 of the Forum Building, a short distance down Curtin Road from Rec Hall.

Match Themes Announced

The Nittany Lions have several promotions scheduled for this year’s home Big Ten schedule. First, the program will recognize its 2008 and 2013 NCAA national championship-winning teams during Alumni Weekend on October 6-7 when it hosts Indiana and Ohio State. Penn State’s annual Dig Pink match will be held on October 22 when Purdue comes to town. The biggest home match of the regular season against Nebraska on November 3 will be a White Out. Jonni Parker will be back in State College for the Silent Set match on November 17 against Michigan State, then the program will recognize its seniors the following night on November 18 against Northwestern.