Penn State Nittany Lions have won 36 straight 1st round matches as they win vs. the Bulls of South Florida in 4 sets. Kennedy Martin led the team with 28 points (22 kills, 3 aces and 5 total blocks) followed by Emmi Sellman with 11 points (9 kills, 2 aces).

The Nittany Lions have not lost a first round match since 1989 when they were still in a the Atlantic 10. The Nittany Lions preserved that record by making the second round of the tournament for the 36th consecutive time. The defending national champions were led by Kennedy Martin (22 kills, 0.341 hitting percentage, 3 aces and 5 blocks) who now has 618 kills in the season. Emmi Sellman (9 kills, 2 aces) and Maggie Mendelson (8 kills, 2 blocks) combined for 20 points in the 4-set thriller. The Nittany Lions struggled to settle in the match for the first 2 sets and was outhit and outblocked, resulting in a very close first set, 25-23 and a blowout second set, 12-25. The Nittany Lions pulled together a stronger performance for the last 2 sets to take it home. The Nittany Lion defense struggled to contain the South Florida offense as they outhit PSU for the first 3 sets but put together a stronger defensive performance to hold the South Florida offense to 0.069 in the last set. Gillian Grimes led the team with 10 digs and Kennedy Martin led in blocking with 5. Penn State had a strong serving performance scoring 8 aces against 6 service errors, including a Sellman ace to close out the match.

The Penn State Nittany Lions will look to pull off an upset in the second round of the tournament as they go against the hosts, #1 Texas Longhorns.

Post-Match Press Conference

 

After the match, Coach Katie, Kennedy Martin, and Gillian Grimes answered questions from the media.  Below is a transcript of the questions and answers, lightly edited for length and clarity.

Opening Statement by Coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley.

It’s nice to win. I thought South Florida played really well and we found a way to make as many errors and managed to win.

Question: Coach, what were some of the positives you noticed from the team in general tonight?

Coach Katie: I thought we fought hard at the end and found a way to score. I thought defense got better as the match went on, but it was a collective effort. Kennedy (Martin) took a ton of swings and found a way to score from all over the place, and leading the team on the floor. It was a great team effort again.

Question: Kennedy (Martin) and Maggie (Mendelson) in particular were really good offensively tonight. What stood out about their play?

Coach Katie: They found ways to score. And I thought Addie (Lyon) kind of settled in after the second and set the middle much better.

Question: Gill, South Florida, hit about 0.080 higher than you guys. What were they doing well tonight?

Gillian Grimes: Yeah, I think they were just finding really good ways to score. But I think we needed to settle in and calm it down on our side to start playing well.

Question: Kennedy, what were some things that the team did well today to kind of push back some of that adversity?

Kennedy Martin: I think we just stopped making errors. I think that was the key to this match and settled in.

Question: Coach, serving was a strong point for the team tonight. Why do you think that was?

Coach Katie: We practice that every day and our serve pass game is really important for us to be successful, so I thought we did a nice job on the endline.

Question: Gill, what are some of the things you’ve enjoyed most about playing with Kennedy this season?

Gillian Grimes: I love playing with Ken I think she really works hard. She’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever played with so I think just seeing her shine in every single game, I think that’s really important for our team, too. And I think it’s just really easy to set her because she wants the ball all the time *laughs* but yeah, she’s awesome to play with because you work so hard.

Question: Kennedy, you two are first team All-B1G. What stands out about that? And why do you think you’re able to have so much success this year?

Kennedy Martin: I mean, you can’t do anything without your team. I think having the 15 girls behind us, having our back, I think, is huge throughout the entire season. Pushing us in practice, preparing us for the games at the end of the week really helped us a lot.

Question: Gill, how have some of the trying times and like, long matches this season, help prepare you guys for this?

Gillian Grimes: Yeah, I think it all really starts in practice. We kind of work on the red zone a lot too. So we’re really focused when that comes during the game. But I think we kind of get our confidence during practice.

Question: So Kennedy, what are some things that Addie (Lyon) has done well, in your opinion?

Kennedy Martin: She’s done a really good job adjusting. If I’m like, “Hey, this tempo isn’t working for me, I need it just a smidge faster”. I think she’s been very receptive of any feedback that I have for her, and that’s huge as a hitter, just to have a relationship with your setter.

Question: Coach, How important have these two (Martin and Grimes) been for your team success this year?

Coach Katie: They’re involved in every single play, and they make a difference, and they’re great teammates, and I’m proud of what they’ve done.

Question: What were some things you thought the team did to kind of settle in after that set that you dropped?

Coach Katie: I think we made so many errors. So yeah. I mean, we need to cut down the errors and be focused and win the long rallies.

Question: What stands out about Texas?

Coach Katie: I think they’re very good. I think they’re hosting for a reason. So I think they’re a very good team. You know, tournament time, anything can happen, and I know we’ll be prepared and do our best for the players.

Question: What was your impression of this facility (Gregory Gymnasium) and atmosphere?

Kennedy Martin: It reminds us of Rec Hall a lot, actually. Kind of the smaller, old-school style. And, I mean, it gets loud in there. We didn’t have the biggest crowds as the two away teams, but you hear a lot of noise.

Question: And did you (Kennedy Martin) ever play here when you were at Florida?

Kennedy Martin: I did not, no. They came to us.

Question: What has it been like to explore Austin a little bit in the last couple of days?

Gillian Grimes: It’s been fun. We went to a barbecue place yesterday. So that was really fun. It was awesome food. Really good. I recommend.

Question: Kennedy, how do you describe the team’s leadership this season?

Kennedy Martin: I think that stems a lot from the coaching staff and having standards and high expectations for the returners on the team. I think being someone who came into the team that was very clear and very evident how much of a reflection the seniors and the leaders on this team are of Katie and the rest of Katie’s staff, and it’s pretty easy to catch like my footing in this program to do with the leadership. So I really appreciate all of our seniors and all the leaders.

Question: What are some things you enjoy most about the seniors in general?

Kennedy Martin: Oh my gosh they’re amazing teammates, and I think that’s  very important to me as a player, because it’s one thing that you can control. Like, no matter what, you control your effort and your attitude and how you show up for your teammates every day. So because that is a controllable thing that players have. It’s important to me. So that’s awesome.

Question: Gill, Jordan (Hopp) came in and gave you guys a little bit of energy. What has she kind of added to the team since she’s gotten to the program?

Gillian Grimes: Yeah. Jo’s always ready, and I think she understands it. She knows when she needs to be on too. So I kind of think when she came in, that gave us a little fresh air too.

Question: Have you had a chance to watch Texas at all this season?

Kennedy Martin: Yeah, we’re always watching volleyball at home. Yeah, we’re always watching volleyball at home.

Question: What do you enjoy about being around the team, watching volleyball, hanging out?

Kennedy Martin: I think it’s fun to watch volleyball, especially with people who know volleyball and understand volleyball. So there’s like, plays where you’re like “ahhhh” like, pulling that chair a little bit.

Question: Are there some ways that you guys watch volleyball differently than the casual fan?

Gillian Grimes: Just kind of, we know the game too. I really look at liberos while I’m watching to see like how they’re moving and their movements.

Kennedy Martin: I think I watch a lot teams are very based around their setter, and their limitations or their excelling points. And so like watching the setter and how they kind of move the offense around. That’s super exciting to watch.

Question: Just kind of a random one. But who’s the best hair braider on the team?

Gillian Grimes: Maggie (Mendelson), by far, she braids my hair like maybe once a day.

Question: She was saying the other day that you guys do use this, like TIY hair ties. How did you kind of start using those?

Gillian Grimes: Oh, yeah. I use them a lot because my hair get thicker so it stays up. But I think she reached out to the TIY company, the Texas coach’s wife. And, I mean, they stay up. They don’t want to really move around, and they’re cute colors too.

Question: Coach, what are some things that the team will need to do to be successful? Moving forward in this tournament?

Coach Katie: Serve and pass game has to be on and I think as attackers, we need to be smart with our shots. You know, go for it, but keep on playing, moving around. I know we’ll be rested and ready to go.

Question: What’s some of your advice you have for your younger teammates who maybe haven’t experienced as much NCAA tournaments?

Gillian Grimes: Yeah, I think it’s a ride. Every team is going to play their best game just because it might be their last. So I think just really settling in and just not taking this moment for granted. It’s fun.

Kennedy Martin: I think. Also it’s a huge opportunity, and it’s a huge thing. But also like, we play this game every single day of our lives. It’s insane how much we play volleyball. So like, just like remembering your training and really leaning on the older teammates is huge. Like, if you need help, if you’re freaked out a little bit, it’s harder to speak up, lean on your teammates, because everyone’s there for you.

Box Score

Photos from the Match (by Ethan Kasales)

Caroline Jurevicius, Gillian Grimes, Joce Nathan and Jordan Hopp – South Florida Match