A trio of Penn State women’s volleyball players and head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley answered questions during the program’s NCAA Sweet 16 press conference before practice Wednesday in Madison, Wisconsin.

Junior middle blocker Allie Holland, junior libero Maddy Bilinovic, and graduate senior setter Seleisa Elisaia joined Schumacher-Cawley at the UW Field House podium, covering a variety of topics ahead of the No. 4 seed Nittany Lions’ matchup against No. 1 seed Wisconsin Thursday at approximately 6 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

Holland leads the Nittany Lions (26-7, 13-7 Big Ten) with 155 total blocks and 31 service aces so far this season, further establishing herself as one of the Big Ten’s best middle blockers. The conference’s coaches recognized Holland’s improvement, naming her a first-team All-Big Ten selection alongside fellow Nittany Lion Kash Williams. Holland also has 251 kills — good for third on the team.

Elisaia earned a spot on the conference’s second team after putting together some of the best all-around stats of any Big Ten setter this season.  Elisaia’s 1,287 total assists rank first in the conference — 75 more than Ohio State’s Mac Podraza, who was named the Big Ten Setter of the Year. Elisaia’s physical presence at the net as an attacker and blocker is what sets her apart, tallying 94 kills and 88 total blocks. She also has 275 digs.

On top of their All-Big Ten honors, Holland, Elisaia, and Williams were also selected to the AVCA all-northeast region team announced Tuesday. They will likely be named All-Americans when the teams and honorable mentions are soon released.

Bilinovic secured Penn State’s libero job during an offseason competition to replace Jenna Hampton, who was named SEC Libero of the Year at South Carolina after transferring for her final season of eligibility. Bilinovic currently leads the Nittany Lions with 420 digs, while adding 114 assists and 28 aces.

Editor’s note: Although I did not make the trip to Madison, Wednesday’s press conference was recorded via Zoom. The full transcript of questions and answers, lightly edited for clarity, can be found below.

Schumacher-Cawley’s opening statement:

“Thanks for being here today. We’re thrilled to be a part of the Sweet 16. Obviously, Wisconsin does a great job hosting. We’re happy to be here. I couldn’t be more proud of this group.”

Katie, it’s kind of a theme of your season that you come in taking over for a legend [in Russ Rose], you have so much turnover on your team, and yet here you are. What was the key to meshing the returners with the newcomers and making all that work?

KSC: “Well, I’m glad we didn’t screw up not getting into the tournament for the first time, or at least me. That was the first thing I told Coach Rose. But no, like I said, I’m proud of the group. I put a lot on them and what they wanted to do. I’m proud of how hard they’ve worked, all of the extra things that they’ve put on. It’s taken the season for them to get here. I think they’ve done all they could right now. We’ll have a good practice today. I think, between the players and the staff, I think everyone has gone above and beyond for this group in helping them achieve their goals, pushing them. It’s Penn State. This is the expectation. I know everyone’s new, but you don’t walk into our gym or our facility not knowing what was before you. I think these ladies knew what they wanted to do. We’re just here to help them get there.”

For the players, it’s great you made the Sweet 16. Now, you face Wisconsin at their place. It’s a familiar foe. Is it good that you’re facing Wisconsin because you know who they are?

Holland: “We’re super excited just to be here. Wisconsin’s a great team. They have some great players, but I would pick these girls to go into battle with me any day of the week. I think that we’re excited to be here. It’s our third time playing them. We’ve seen them before. But I think, most of all, we’re just excited to be in the Sweet 16. No matter who we have, we’re ready to play.”

Bilinovic: “Yeah, I think that we’re thrilled to be here, like Allie said. I think that the Big Ten and our preseason schedule has prepared us for an opportunity like this in front of a big crowd all of our season. We have all of the tools necessary, and we’ve worked so hard to accomplish the things that we have this season. We’re finally able to, now in the Sweet 16, show everyone what we have.”

What does it mean to you to have the support of the other Penn State teams and the community as a whole as you’re competing?

Holland: “It means so much. Even when we were leaving State College, we had a little gathering outside of our bus for us. It just shows, from our trainers to our nutritionists, coaching staff, teammates, even just the community, everyone is so excited for us. Everyone is supporting us. We really appreciate it.”

Seleisa, you came in from CSU Bakersfield to the Big Ten and all of the reputation it has, and Penn State and its reputation. How big was the transition? How did you go about trying to make that?

Elisaia: “I think the biggest transition was obviously the level of play. I think it’s anyone’s goal who wants to play D1 volleyball to play in the best conference in the nation for college. The coaches have been amazing supporting me in this transition, and the girls have made it super easy to be here. It’s been great.”

KSC: “She belongs here.”

Katie, you go back with Russ a long way. You took on that role that people, historically, don’t want to have to follow somebody like that. How much have you kept in touch with him? How much do you hear from him?

KSC: “Every day. I hear from him every day. And it’s not just because I coached with him before. It was my relationship with him as a player, and even when I left and started my coaching journey. He’s so supportive and obviously wants to see us do really well. He’ll let me know what he thinks we’re doing well and what we’re not. I appreciate everything he’s done and continues to do for me and my family and to help the program.”

You’ve faced Wisconsin twice. Two very different matches. How has your team developed from the first time you played Wisconsin to the time you took them to five sets at University Park?

KSC: “The first showing here wasn’t great at all. I think our players understood that, and we got to work after that. But the Big Ten is relentless. I think that this whole season has been a test for us. The team has grown. They’ve gotten better. I think they’ve really focused on their skills and doing the extra things to be prepared. I know everyone wants to keep saying, ‘It’s the third time. It’s the third time.’ I mean, it’s a great matchup. I know we’re prepared. We’ll give it everything we have. We have to play a great game to beat a great Wisconsin team. I think if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.”