Penn State women’s volleyball preview vs. Michigan State
The No. 12 Penn State Nittany Lions women’s volleyball team takes on the Michigan State Spartans on Sunday in Rec Hall in the THON match.
The Nittany Lions traveled to Madison, Wisconsin, on Friday to play the No. 8 Wisconsin Badgers, however Penn State was swept 3-0 in that match.
Playing two Big Ten conference games, especially one nationally televised, the Nittany Lions must continue their dominance, which is fairly credited to new head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley. This is her first year as a head coach after coaching under Penn State volleyball legend Russ Rose.
The Michigan Wolverines handed the blue and white their first loss of the season on Sept. 24 in three straight sets.
Michigan State (9-4, 0-2 conference)
The Spartans aim to rebound in University Park after two straight losses to No. 3 Nebraska and Rutgers. Though the score would say otherwise, the Spartans were defensively more productive than the Cornhuskers with the help of senior middle blocker Emma Monks.
In Piscataway, New Jersey, the Spartans suffered another Big Ten loss but played a long five sets. Though they were out-hit, freshman outside hitter Maradith O’Gorman led the team with 14 kills..
Players to watch include: O’Gorman (128 kills), sophomore outside hitter Aliyah Moore (157 kills), junior libero Nalani Iosia (208 digs, averages four digs per set) and senior middle blocker Emma Monks (40 blocks, averages one block per set).
No. 12 Penn State (12-2, 1-2 conference)
After its first loss of the season in Michigan, Penn State looks to bring out the big kills, digs, and blocks at home. The Nittany Lions fell in every category to the Wolverines, but graduate student setter Seleisa Elisaia had the most assists with 28.
However, looking back to the game against the Indiana Hoosiers, the Nittany Lions won in three straight sets. Junior middle blocker Allie Holland led the team in blocks with seven.
Penn State has won the last 15 consecutive games it has played against Michigan State, including an all-time 26-3 record when playing in Rec Hall. The Nittany Lions are also 52-7 all-time against the Spartans.
With the excitement in Rec Hall and another impending Big Ten victory, Penn State and Michigan State shape up to be a great game to watch.
Players to watch include: graduate student outside hitter Kashuna Williams (120 kills) sophomore outside hitter Anjelina Starck (117 kills), graduate student setter Selesia Elisaia (454 assists) and junior libero Maddy Bilinovic (178 digs).
Adrianna Gallucci is a first-year student majoring in journalism. To contact her, please email amg7989@psu.edu.
