Oct. 22, 2009
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The No. 1 Penn State women's volleyball looks to extend its home match winning streak this weekend when it hosts Indiana and Purdue. Penn State's match within Indiana is set for Friday, Oct. 23 at 8 p.m., while the Nittany Lions will meet the Boilermakers on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.
Penn State's match with Indiana will be broadcast live on ESPNU and its match with Purdue will be taped and aired on the Big Ten Network on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. Live audio will be available courtesy of Penn State All Access on GoPSUsports.com. Live stats will also be available. The first 250 students through the student gate on Friday will receive a Code Blue t-shirt and a free slice of pizza. All fans are encouraged to wear blue. On Saturday, the first 250 students will receive a free pink women's volleyball throwback t-shirt.
Nittany Lion Preview
The top-ranked Nittany Lions improved to 20-0 and 8-0 in conference play with two Big Ten victories on Oct. 16-17. Penn State defeated nationally-ranked Michigan in five sets (24-26, 25-8, 23-25, 25-21, 15-12) and Michigan State in straight sets (25-11, 25-18, 25-12).
The Nittany Lions attacked at a combined .421 clip, including a Big Ten best .519 against the Spartans. Penn State averaged 14.00 kills per set, 12.75 assists per set, 0.25 aces per set, 10.50 digs per set and 3.38 blocks per set. Senior Megan Hodge led the squad totaling 37 kills (4.62 kps) and senior setter Alisha Glass posted 90 assists (11.25 aps). Junior Arielle Wilson, who was named the Big Ten Player of the Week on Oct. 19, totaled 25 kills (3.12 kps) while attacking at a smoking .706 clip. She also led the squad with 15 total blocks (1.88). Junior libero Alyssa D'Errico led the team with 27 digs (3.38) and had two aces.
The Nittany Lions have extended their NCAA-record winning streak to 84 consecutive matches. The squad also extended their Big Ten winning streak to 53 straight matches and sit atop the all-time Big Ten consecutive wins list. The Nittany Lions own the top three spots.
Scouting the Hoosiers
Indiana is coming off a weekend where it defeated Iowa in three sets, but suffered a 3-2 loss to Wisconsin two days later. The Hoosiers' two other Big Ten victories so far this season have come against Michigan State (3-1) and Purdue (3-2). Prior to their victory against Iowa, the Hoosiers had lost three straight league matches.
The Series: Penn State vs. Indiana
Penn State has never lost a match to the Hoosiers in 38 meetings. The Nittany Lions have swept Indiana in all but four of those matches in a series dating back to 1982. Penn State last lost a set to the Hoosiers on Nov. 10, 2001, but came away with a 3-1 victory.
Scouting the Boilermakers
Purdue is on a two-match winning streak with wins against Wisconsin and Iowa last weekend. After opening Big Ten play with a 3-0 sweep of Michigan State, the Boilermakers lost their next five matches. Purdue's three other losses came to nationally-ranked Baylor and Kentucky, as well as Dayton who received votes in the latest AVCA Top 25 Poll.
The Series: Penn State vs. Purdue
PSU owns a 40-5 record against the Boilermakers. The two teams first met in 1981 with Penn State winning, 2-0. The Nittany Lions lost the next five meetings, but hasn't suffered a loss to Purdue since 1987.
What's Next?
The Nittany Lions are back in action on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Penn State hosts Ohio State at 7 p.m. in Rec Hall. Minnesota comes to town on Oct. 30 with play also beginning at 7 p.m. The Ohio State match will air live on the Big Ten Network, while Penn State's match with the Gophers will be taped-delayed until Nov. 1 at 8 p.m. on the BTN.