2024 Penn State Nittany Lions women's volleyball team

Last updated

2024 Penn State Nittany Lions women's volleyball
Penn State wordmark.svg
NCAA tournament, NCAA National Champions
Conference Big Ten Conference
Record35–2 (19–1 Big Ten)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
  • Brian Toron (3rd season)
  • Megan Hodge Easy (2nd season)
  • Michael Henchy (1st season)
Captains
Home arena Rec Hall
Seasons
 2023
2025  

The 2024 Penn State Nittany Lions women's volleyball team represented Pennsylvania State University in the 2024 NCAA Division I women's volleyball season. The Penn State Nittany Lions women's volleyball team was led by 3rd-year head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley. They are members of the Big Ten Conference and play their home games at Rec Hall.

Contents

Season recap

In 2024, Schumacher-Cawley led the team to its best season in seven years, going 29–2 in regular season play and won a share of the Big Ten title after defeating Nebraska in its final conference match. It was the program's 18th Big Ten title overall, and first since 2017. [1] She was named Big Ten Coach of the Year for her efforts. She also coached several players who were recognized with conference awards: Izzy Starck (Freshman of the Year, First Team All-Big Ten, All-Freshman Team), Jess Mruzik (Unanimous First Team All-Big Ten), Camryn Hannah (First Team), Taylor Trammel (First Team), Gillian Grimes (Second Team), Caroline Jurevicius (All-Freshman Team), and Ava Falduto (Sportsmanship Award). [2]

Penn State won its 8th NCAA national championship, after defeating Delaware State, North Carolina, Marquette, Creighton, Nebraska, and Louisville. It was the program's 11th championship appearance in program history, and first since their last win in 2014.

Offseason

Outgoing departures

NameNumberPos.HeightYearHometownReason for departure
Maddy Bilinovic2L5'7"Senior Independence, OH Graduated
Mac Podraza5S6'2"Graduate Sunbury, OH Graduated
Macy Van Den Elzen7MB6'3"Senior Macungie, PA Graduated
Cassie Kuerschen12L/DS5'9"Junior Mansfield, TX Graduated
Ally Van Eekeren13S6'0"Graduate Naperville, IL Graduated
Lina Perugini15DS5'7"Graduate Bethlehem, PA Graduated
Zoe Weatherington17RS6'2"Graduate Charlotte, NC Graduated
Allie Holland20MB6'3"Senior Hilliard, OH Graduated

Outgoing transfers

The 2024 team did not have any pure outgoing transfers. Senior middle blocker Allie Holland and senior libero Maddy Bilinovic both graduated from Penn State and opted to play their fifth year of eligibility (granted by the NCAA due to the COVID-19 Pandemic) at College of Charleston and Creighton, respectively.

Incoming transfers

NamePos.HeightYearHometownPrevious TeamSource
Jordan HoppMB6'2”Graduate Alliance, NE Iowa State [3]
Caroline JureviciusOH/RS6'2”Redshirt Freshman Cleveland, OH Nebraska [4]
Maggie MendelsonMB6'5”Junior Ogden, UT Nebraska [5]

Incoming recruits

2024 Penn State Recruits
NamePos.HeightHometownHigh School
Ava FaldutoL/DS5'7" Elmhurst, IL IC Catholic Prep
Izzy StarckS6'1" Viera, FL Viera High School

Roster

2024 Penn State Nittany Lions Roster [6]
 

Libero /Defensive Specialists

  • 2 Ava Falduto – Freshman
  • 3 Gillian Grimes – Junior
  • 6 Kate Lally – Sophomore
  • 11 Jocelyn Nathan – Sophomore

Setters

  • 21 Izzy Starck - Freshman
  • 24 Quinn Menger – Senior (also listed as a defensive specialist)
 

Middle Blockers

  • 1 Taylor Trammell - Senior
  • 5 Jordan Hopp – Senior
  • 23 Catherine Burke – Sophomore
  • 44 Maggie Mendelson – Junior
 

Outside Hitters

  • 4 Karis Willow – Sophomore
  • 8 Camryn Hannah – Senior
  • 9 Jess MruzikSenior
  • 10 Anjelina Starck – Senior

Opposite Hitters

  • 8 Caroline Jurevicius – Redshirt.svg Redshirt Freshman
  • 19 Alexa Markley – Junior
2024 Penn State volleyball team, warming up before a match against Oregon on October 4, 2024 at Rec Hall. Penn State women's volleyball vs. Oregon.jpg
2024 Penn State volleyball team, warming up before a match against Oregon on October 4, 2024 at Rec Hall.

Coaches

2024 Penn State Nittany Lions Coaching Staff
  • Katie Schumacher-Cawley – head coach – 3rd year
  • Brian Toron – assistant coach – 3rd year
  • Megan Hodge Easy – assistant coach – 2nd year
  • Michael Henchy – assistant coach – 1st year
  • Tina Readling – director of operations
  • Sydnie Mabry – performance analyst

Support staff

2024 Penn State Nittany Lions Coaching Staff
  • Scott Campbell – assistant athletic trainer
  • Matt Dorn – assistant director of athletic performance

Schedule

Date
Time
OpponentRankArena
City
(Tournament)
TelevisionScoreAttendanceRecord
(Big Ten Record)
Regular Season
August 30
6:00 p.m.
at #15 Tennessee #7 Food City Center
Knoxville, TN
ESPNU W 3–1
(22–25, 25–16, 25–15, 25–20)
6,1931–0
September 1
5:30 p.m.
at Temple #7 McGonigle Hall
Philadelphia, PA
ESPN+ W 3–0
(25–16, 25–17, 25–15)
5832–0
September 3
7:30 p.m.
vs. #4 Louisville #7 Rec Hall
University Park, PA
BTN W 3–0
(25–15, 25–19, 25–13)
3,8653–0
September 6
7:00 p.m.
at #9 Kentucky #7 Memorial Coliseum
(Kentucky Invitational)
Lexington, KY
SECN W 3–2
(19–25, 23–25, 26–24, 25–22, 15–8)
3,3554–0
September 7
5:00 p.m.
vs. Ball State #7Memorial Coliseum
(Kentucky Invitational)

Lexington, KY
Not
televised
W 3–0
(25–22, 25–21, 25–21)
1455–0
September 13
8:30 p.m.
vs. Duke #3Rec Hall
(Penn State Invitational)

University Park, PA
FS1 W 3–0
(25–9, 25–15, 25–15)
3,1526–0
September 14
10:30 a.m.
vs. Princeton #3Rec Hall
(Penn State Invitational)

University Park, PA
BIG+W 3–0
(25–15, 25–16, 25–21)
2,8277–0
September 14
6:30 p.m.
vs. St. John's #3Rec Hall
(Penn State Invitational)

University Park, PA
BIG+W 3–0
(25–19, 25–22, 25–15)
2,8278–0
September 18
7:00 p.m.
at #1 Pittsburgh #3 Petersen Events Center
Pittsburgh, PA
ACCN L 0–3
(15–25, 19–25, 18–25)
11,8008–1
September 20
6:00 p.m.
vs. James Madison #3Rec Hall
(Penn State Classic)

University Park, PA
BIG+W 3–0
(25–20, 25–20, 25–19)
2,4089–1
September 22
2:00 p.m.
vs. Yale #3Rec Hall
(Penn State Classic)

University Park, PA
BIG+W 3–1
(25–18, 25–16, 23–25, 25–13)
2,17810–1
September 25
7:00 p.m.
at #10 Purdue*#4Holloway Gymnasium
West Lafayette, IN
BTNW 3–0
(25–14, 25–21, 25–20)
2,41511–1
(1–0)
September 29
2:00 p.m.
vs. Michigan State*#4Rec Hall
University Park, PA
BIG+W 3–1
(23–25, 25–17, 25–21, 25–23)
2,60512–1
(2–0)
October 3
6:00 p.m.
vs. Maryland*#3Rec Hall
University Park, PA
BTNW 3–1
(22–25, 25–20, 25–23, 25–16)
2,20913–1
(3–0)
October 4
7:00 p.m.
vs. #11 Oregon*#3Rec Hall
University Park, PA
BTNW 3–0
(25–19, 25–19, 25–17)
4,60614–1
(4–0)
October 11
6:00 p.m.
at Michigan State*#3 Breslin Center
East Lansing, MI
BIG+W 3–0
(25–16, 25–22, 25–16)
4,17015–1
(5–0)
October 13
1:00 p.m.
at Indiana*#3 Wilkinson Hall
Bloomington, IN
BIG+W 3–1
(22–25, 25–22, 32–30, 25–22)
1,81316–1
(6–0)
October 18
8:00 p.m.
at Ohio State*#3 Covelli Center
Columbus, OH
BTNW 3–2
(20–25, 25–23, 25–16, 18–25, 16–14)
3,43617–1
(7–0)
October 20
2:00 p.m.
vs. #14 Minnesota*#3Rec Hall
University Park, PA
BIG+W 3–0
(25–16, 25–20, 25–14)
4,31618–1
(8–0)
October 24
9:00 p.m.
at UCLA*#3 Pauley Pavilion
Los Angeles, CA
BTNW 3–2
(25–21, 19–25, 25–15, 19–25, 15–9)
72119–1
(9–0)
October 26
11:00 p.m.
at #16 Southern California*#3 Galen Center
Los Angeles, CA
BTNW 3–1
(25–18, 20–25, 25–20, 32–30)
2,25620–1
(10–0)
October 30
7:30 p.m.
vs. Michigan*#3Rec Hall
University Park, PA
BTNW 3–0
(25–16, 25–15, 25–17)
2,32021–1
(11–0)
November 1
6:30 p.m.
vs. Iowa*#3Rec Hall
University Park, PA
BIG+W 3–1
(25–19, 20–25, 25–17, 25–16)
3,21522–1
(12–0)
November 8
7:00 p.m.
at Northwestern*#3 Welsh-Ryan Arena
Evanston, IL
BIG+W 3–1
(23–25, 25–18, 29–27, 25–21)
4,90823–1
(13–0)
November 9
7:00 p.m.
at #7 Wisconsin*#3 UW Field House
Madison, WI
NBC L 0–3
(23–25, 12–25, 13–25)
7,22923–2
(13–1)
November 15
7:00 p.m.
vs. Illinois*#4Rec Hall
University Park, PA
BIG+W 3–0
(25–23, 25–18, 25–21)
3,42524–2
(14–1)
November 17
2:30 p.m.
at Maryland*#4 Xfinity Center
College Park, MD
BIG+W 3–1
(25–13, 22–25, 25–13, 25–15)
1,93825–2
(15–1)
November 21
6:00 p.m.
vs. #8 Purdue*#4Rec Hall
University Park, PA
BTNW 3–0
(25–20, 25–23, 25–16)
2,61026–2
(16–1)
November 24
2:00 p.m.
vs. Washington*#4Rec Hall
University Park, PA
BIG+W 3–1
(27–29, 25–9, 25–22, 25–19)
3,20027–2
(17–1)
November 27
7:00 p.m.
at Rutgers*#4 Jersey Mike's Arena
Piscataway, NJ
BIG+W 3–0
(25–12, 25–22, 25–20)
3,12828–2
(18–1)
November 29
5:00 p.m.
vs. #2 Nebraska*#4Rec Hall
University Park, PA
BTN/FOX W 3–1
(25–21, 14–25, 25–22, 25–23)
6,59729–2
(19–1)
2024 NCAA Tournament
December 6
7:30 p.m.
vs. Delaware State #2Rec Hall
University Park, PA
(NCAA First Round)
ESPN+W 3–0
(25–4, 25–20, 25–18)
2,51630–2
December 7
6:30 p.m.
vs. #19 North Carolina #2Rec Hall
University Park, PA
(NCAA Second Round)
ESPN+W 3–1
(25–21, 25–18, 20–25, 25–15)
2,47031–2
December 13
3:00 p.m.
vs. Marquette #2Rec Hall
University Park, PA
(NCAA Sweet 16)
ESPN2/ESPN+W 3–1
(25–15, 25–21, 24–26, 25–20)
2,91432–2
December 15
8:30 p.m.
vs. #6 Creighton #2Rec Hall
University Park, PA
(NCAA Elite 8)
ESPN/ESPN+W 3–2
(25–15, 16–25, 22–25, 25–20, 15–7)
3,55833–2
December 19
9:45 p.m.
vs. #3 Nebraska#2 KFC Yum! Center
Louisville, KY
(NCAA Final Four)
ESPN/ESPN+W 3–2
(23–25, 18–25, 25–23, 28–26, 15–13)
21,72634–2
December 22
3:00 p.m.
at #4 Louisville#2 KFC Yum! Center
Louisville, KY
(NCAA National Championship)
ABC/ESPN3/
ESPN+
W 3–1 (25–23, 32–34, 25–20, 25–17)21,86035–2
* Indicates Conference Opponent, Times listed are Eastern Time Zone, Source [7]
*Total 2024 Attendance: 161
,494

Awards and honors

National Honors

National Awards & Honors
PlayerPositionClassAwardRef.
Jess Mruzik OHSenior1st Team All-American [8]
Izzy StarckSFreshman2nd Team All-American
Taylor TrammellMBSeniorHonorable Mention All-American
Camryn HannahOHSenior
Izzy StarckSFreshman AVCA National Freshman of the Year
AVCA East Region Freshman of the Year
[9]
Jess MruzikOHSenior1st Team All-East Region
Camryn HannahOHSenior
Izzy StarckSFreshman
Taylor TrammellMBSenior
Alexa MarkleyRSJuniorNCAA Elite 90 Award [10]

Conference honors

Player awards

Conference Awards
PlayerPositionClassTeam/AwardRef.
Izzy StarckSFreshmanFreshman of the Year [11]
Jess Mruzik*OHSenior1st
Camryn HannahOHSenior
Izzy StarckSFreshman
Taylor TrammellMBSenior
Gillian GrimesLJunior2nd
Caroline JureviciusRSRedshirt FreshmanAll-Freshman Team
Izzy Starck*SFreshman
Ava FaldutoL/DSFreshmanSportsmanship Honoree

*Indicates Unanimous Selection

Coach awards

Conference Awards
CoachPositionAwardRef.
Katie Schumacher-Cawley Head CoachCoach of the Year [11]

References

  1. "NO. 4 WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL CLINCHES SHARE OF B1G TITLE WITH WIN OVER NO. 2 NEBRASKA".
  2. "SCHUMACHER-CAWLEY AND STARCK EARN B1G AWARDS, FIVE NITTANY LIONS EARN ALL-B1G HONORS".
  3. Kasales Ethan (January 13, 2024). "Jordan Hopp Transfers To Penn State Volleyball". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  4. Haas, Joel (December 21, 2023). "Women's volleyball adds Nebraska transfer Caroline Jurevicius". The Daily Collegian. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  5. Just, Amie (January 5, 2024). "Nebraska's Maggie Mendelson announces commitment to Penn State". Husker Extra. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  6. "2024 Volleyball Roster". PSU Sports. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  7. "2024 Volleyball Schedule". PSU Sports. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  8. "2024 AVCA Division I Women's All-America Teams". AVCA.org.
  9. "2024 AVCA Division I Women's Regional Awards". AVCA.org.
  10. "And the Elite90 Award goes to". twitter.
  11. 1 2 "Big Ten Announces 2024 Volleyball Postseason Honors". Bigten.org.