The Penn State women’s volleyball team can return to campus beginning Monday, June 29, the university’s athletic department announced this morning.

The third part of Penn State’s phased return of student-athletes also includes the men’s and women’s soccer teams. Phase one included 75 football student-athletes returning to campus, while phase two included additional football players as well as the men’s and women’s basketball teams.

Russ Rose’s Nittany Lions have yet to announce their 2020 schedule and updated roster, but they’re expected to field a team of 19 players this season, including seven newcomers. The program released its 2019 schedule last year on June 5, but it’s no surprise to see things delayed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Earlier this month, Penn State announced that it will return to in-person instruction for the fall semester (with some caveats) and classes will begin on August 24. All classes of more than 250 students will be delivered online or remotely. Individuals will be required to wear masks and follow social distancing procedures on campus.

Friday’s announcement is excellent news for the volleyball team as it prepares for another NCAA national championship run. Student-athletes will be tested for COVID-19 upon their return to campus and will be required to quarantine before beginning voluntary workouts.

This year’s volleyball team features student-athletes from 13 different states and one from Russia — outside hitter Anastasiya Kudryashova, who has been staying with teammates in the United States during recent months. Kudryashova, a rising junior from Novosibirsk, transferred to Penn State this spring after spending her first two collegiate seasons at Rutgers.