The highly anticipated debut of the Penn State roster ends in a win over Villanova: 25-13, 25-14, 23-25, 26-24. Whitney Lauenstein led the team with 13 points (11 kills, 2 block assist and a service ace) followed by Nichols and Jones with 12 and 11 points respectively.
New faces, old faces, same fun at Rec Hall!#WeAre pic.twitter.com/SY2QGFPjWv
— Penn State Women’s Volleyball (@PennStateVBALL) April 12, 2026
After falling short of the lofty expectations of the 2025 season, and with some key losses from that team, the Nittany Lions reloaded in the offseason with 3 impact transfers (Whitney Lauenstein, Alexis Stucky and Ryla Jones) and 4 highly rated recruits (Danielle Whitmire, Finley Krystkowiak, Kendall Northern and Haley Burgdorf). With the amount of talent the roster had on paper, the Nittany Lions’s fans waited in anticipation for their first public showing to see how this team will perform. The Nittany Lions did not disappoint, as they showcased nearly their whole roster and featured multiple teams in each set.
(All photos by Ethan Kasales)
The Villanova wildcats, coached by Penn State alum Josh Steinbach, were coming off a strong 2025 season in the Big East, with an overall 20-8 record that ranked 39th on the rate power index (RPI) and nearly made the 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament — being among the four teams that just missed the cutoff. Penn State and Villanova had faced each other 3 times before — the last one in 2015 at University Park — with the Nittany Lions going 3-0 in those matches, 9-0 in sets.
Penn State was looking to continue that record against the Wildcats, and won the first two sets handily, taking a quick 2-0 lead in the match (25-13, 25-14). However, the Villanova Wildcats started to show grit in the latter half of the match, winning the third set (23-25) and pushing Penn State to extra points in the fourth set 26-24). The Lions outhit the Wildcats 0.284 vs 0.089 and had more kills (53 to Villanova’s 42), and utilized their height advantage over the Wildcats to outblock Villanova 17-6. However, the Wildcats took a slight edge on digs 38-35.
Outside Hitters
The standout for this group was the senior outside Whitney Lauenstein. Lauenstein started quietly but when the team needed production when they were behind in the 4th set, Big Hit Whit as she is called, stepped up and ended the match as the top scorer with 11 kills and an impressive 0.526 hitting efficiency. Expect the high-flying senior to be featured in the outside hitter spot when the 2026 season opens.
Freshmen Finley Krystkowiak and Haley Burgdorf also had notable debuts for the blue and white. Krystkowiak and Burgdorf contributed 4.5 points and 3 points. Burgdorf was noted for her arm talent by the Big Ten broadcast. Both Krystkowiak and Burgdorf showed their potential as 6-rotation outsides with steady passing. While not the most efficient outing for the freshmen outsides, their futures as significant contributors to the team should be noted.
Rounding out this group were Emmi Sellman and Alexis Ewing. The two outsides contributed 5 and 5.5 points respectively. Sellman and Ewing, who are coming into their second year as Nittany Lions, will both be in the competition for an outside hitter spot. They feature a cerebral approach to hitting — identifying blocks and angles instead of using overwhelming power. Sellman passed the most balls of the outsides in the 4-set match with decent success while Ewing was the outside that had the most blocks.
Caroline Jurevicius was not available to play in the match but will also compete for an outside hitter spot.
Setters
Senior setter Alexis Stucky was arguably the most impressive player overall in the match. The former Florida Gator showed that she can contribute in every facet of the game. She contributed 9 points (6 block assists, 4 aces and 2 kills) in addition to 43 assists. Stucky also showed that she can contribute in the defensive side as well with 8 digs – a team high. With the short amount of time together, Stucky has showed a good connection with her hitters and expect even stronger connections with her all the hitters when the season comes rolling in.
While Stucky is the likely candidate to lead the Nittany Lions in the setting position, she will be pushed by freshman Danielle Whitmire who did not see playing time as she is currently recovering from injury but was noted to be ready for the fall.
Middle Hitters
This is likely the most competitive room in Nittany Lion roster. Gabrielle Nichols, Ryla Jones, and Kendall Northern will all likely see play time this season. Sophomore Gabrielle Nichols was the most productive of the three contributing 8 kills and 7 blocks. Junior transfer Ryla Jones was right behind Nichols in production with 6 kills, 8 blocks and 1 ace. Both Jones and Nichols contributed heavily to the 17 team blocks the team had while also hitting a high efficiency. Freshman Kendall Northern had an impressive debut with 6 kills and 1 block. The freshman led the team in hitting efficiency with 0.714. Northern was noted to be one of the fastest in the team and will utilize this for her blocking and dynamic slides.
Right Side Hitters
After a record-breaking season with the Nittany Lions in 2025, Kennedy Martin will undoubtedly continue in this spot for the coming season. Martin only had 4 kills and 4 blocks this outing but expect her to be ready and lights out when the fall comes especially after reuniting with Alexis Stucky whom she played with in Florida for 2 years. Martin increased her production in kills, blocks, digs and service aces from her sophomore season and don’t expect her to slow down.
Coach Schumacher-Cawley also showed some other right side options in case Martin is to be rested. Finley Krystkowiak, Alexis Ewing and Whitney Lauenstein had some good swing from the right side. Coach Schumacher-Cawley noted that many of the outside hitters on the team also practice swinging and can play on the right side.
Libero/Defensive Specialist
With departure of Gillian Grimes, junior Ava Falduto donned the libero jersey and showed that she is a steady passer and a great defender. She passed efficiently in the match and was second in the team in digs with 7. She also continues to be a threat in the service line, catching teams out of system and contributed 1 ace in the match.
Senior Jocelyn Nathan and sophomore Lexi Gin will likely compete for the main defensive specialist role coming in for one of the outsides. Both also wore the libero jersey in the match and contributed 4 and 2 digs respectively.
Sophomore DS/L Ava Jurevicius was suited up but did not play due to recovering from a leg injury earlier this year.
The Nittany Lions will next face the Maryland Terrapins on April 19th in Rec Hall.
Post-Match Press Conference
After the match, Coach Katie and Alexis Stucky 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.
Thanks for coming. As always, it was great to see some fans in the crowd and see our team compete and get everyone in. And it was nice to see this girl (Alexis Stucky) lead the charge, and I thought she did an excellent job, not only setting but playing defense. And it’s a learning experience, and we’ll take some things from here and move on and get better in practice this week,
Question: Coach, how did it feel to be back at Rec hall and Alexis, what you think of your first game with the new team?
Coach Katie: It’s great. You guys know how I feel about this place. It’s always great to play at home, and I was excited for these guys to experience it and enjoy seeing them in these uniforms.
Alexis Stucky: Yeah, it was awesome. I’ve certainly never felt that kind of environment for a spring match. And us being on TV is super awesome for the spring. I was so excited. I was really nervous. I peed like 15 times before the game, but it was so cool. And I’m thinking, we really like playing here.
Question: How challenging is it? Alexis, with so many different players and different players and different combinations.
Alexis Stucky: I think it’s one of our strengths that we have so much depth, but it certainly keeps me on my toes. I really have to pay attention to who’s in and what set they’re going to need, and the different situations I can play with is just super awesome to have that much depth to play with,
Question: We saw three of the four freshmen on the court today. What can you say about what they’re able to do in the game and how they’ve developed so far in their time here?
Coach Katie: Yeah, they’re a lot of fun to watch, aren’t they? They keep us on our toes, that’s for sure. But no, I thought all three of them (Burgdorf, Krystkowiak and Northern) came in and did a great job. They took great swings. They were focused. They were aware of what’s going on, and they’re only going to get better. So they did a great job. And Danielle (Whitmire) is doing her thing too. She was in warm ups, and so it’s good to see her getting some reps in practice. And it’s an exciting class.
Question: Coach, Villanova really stepped it up in the second half. How’d you keep your team dialed and focused to go on?
Coach Katie: Yeah I think these guys know it’s a game of errors, and so being able to focus and to reset, I thought we did a good job of it. We can be better, but this is a learning tool for us, and they understand that it’s going to be competitive every time we step on the floor. So I thought Villanova did a great job. It was a fun match. It’s fun to have Josh (Steinbach) back here, and he’s a good friend of mine.
Question: Alexis, how would you describe your relationship with Whit (Lauenstein) and what impressed you about her performance today?
Alexis Stucky: Oh my gosh. Whitney is one of my very best friends on the team. We have every single class together, so we spend a lot of time together. But I think she’s such a great athlete, and she has so much experience under her belt, so she’s gonna take big swings, and then she’s gonna make high IQ plays, and then she’s definitely someone I can rely on. So I adore her.
Question: You’ve reunited with Kennedy (Martin), obviously. What’s that like having you two back together?
Alexis Stucky: We picked up right where we left off. And honestly, it’s probably a little better because I’m a little healthier. It’s awesome, because I’ve played with her so much. I know exactly what she’s going to do in every situation, and I know when she’s going to be up and ready. So it’s definitely nice, and it’s made the transition really easy.
Question: Coach, How have you seen Alexis kind of taking charge this spring?
Coach Katie: She’s a leader, and she pushes herself and her teammates to get better every day. And you know, she puts the effort and the time in, so I’m happy she’s here, and I’m excited to see her growth. I think every week she’s gotten better, she’s getting stronger, and it’s going to be a great year for her.
Question: Alexis, of course, reuniting with Kennedy from your time at Florida here at Penn State, but how did the other returners from Penn State, on any aspect, helped you adapt to a new setting?
Alexis Stucky: They’re awesome. They’ve been super helpful in just like all aspects, the weight room, the gym, life outside, where we go to eat, everything. They’ve been awesome. And we’re becoming really, really close. And I’m enjoying my time with them.
Question: Favorite spots so far?
Alexis Stucky: Tadashi
Question: Coach, what are some of the main positives you noticed from the team so far this spring?
Coach Katie: You know, I think defensively, we’re doing some nice things. I think just being able to mix it up a lot. We’re throwing a lot at them, and I think they’re staying focused and being aggressive. I think Red here (Alexis Stucky) is doing a great job with all the hitters. There’s a lot of moving parts. Some like it faster, higher, and I think they’re doing a good job of putting the time in to get better at it. Because that’s what it’s all about: Getting in the gym, working hard and figuring out. I think this team is a lot of fun to be around.
Question: It’s early days still, but what are your thoughts about Abby Detering?
Alexis Stucky: Oh my gosh! She’s been here, like, what? Three days? she’s awesome. We’ve had some great conversations about, like “okay, when I run this play here. What’s gonna be open and is this gonna be really good on this look” or “Let’s find the ball here”. So I’m super excited. I think she’s gonna be awesome for my development.
Question: Speaking of Danielle (Whitmire), what impresses you about her? What are some things that she does?
Alexis Stucky: I think Danielle does a really, really good job of being neutral and being really deceptive, especially to the right side set. So I think Watch out world. She’s gonna get a lot of one on ones.