Oct. 29, 2009
Complete Release in pdf Format
The top-ranked Penn State women's volleyball team host No. 7 Minnesota on Friday, Oct. 30. Action is set to begin at 7 p.m. at Rec Hall.
Penn State's match with the Gophers will air live on the Big Ten Network and will be rebroadcast on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 8 p.m. Live stats and live audio will be available via a link at GoPSUsports.com. Tickets can be purchased in advance at 1-800-NITTANY or at the door. Adult tickets are $8 and youth are $5. Groups tickets are $5 per person at the door or $4 per person if purchased in advance.
All fans are encouraged to wear a costume to compete in the Halloween costume contest. The first place winner will receive a $150 gift card to the Penn State bookstore, second place receives a gift card $100 gift card and third, fourth and fifth place will get a $75 gift card. There will also be a "Dress Like a Rockette" contest where the winner will receive four tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular at the Bryce Jordan Center on Nov. 20-21. Friday's match will also be Trick-or-Treat night.
Penn State Preview
The top-ranked Nittany Lions improved to 23-0 and 11-0 in conference play on Wednesday, Oct. 28 with a 3-0 (25-21, 25-11, 25-20) victory against Ohio State. It was Penn State's second victory against the Buckeyes this season.
The Nittany Lions attacked at a .330 clip tallying 49 kills, nine aces, 45 digs and 5.0 total team blocks. Penn State averaged 16.33 kills per set, 15.33 assists per set, 3.00 aces per set, 15.00 digs per set and 1.67 blocks per set. Senior Megan Hodge had a team-best 5.33 kills per set, while senior setter Alisha Glass contributed an average of 13.33 assists per set. Junior Alyssa D'Errico led the team averaging 4.33 digs per set and junior Cathy Quilico had four of the squad's nine service aces (1.33 aces per set).
The Nittany Lions have extended their NCAA-record winning streak to 87 consecutive matches and their home match winning streak to 67. The squad also extended their Big Ten winning streak to 56 straight matches and sit atop the all-time Big Ten consecutive wins list. The Nittany Lions own the top three spots.
Scouting the Gophers
No. 7 Minnesota is currently second in the conference with an 8-2 Big Ten record. The Gophers have only suffered losses to the Nittany Lions and nationally-ranked Michigan. Minnesota is on a three-match winning streak heading into Friday's match having defeated Northwestern, Michigan State and Michigan in their second meeting of the season.
Penn State vs. Minnesota
PSU defeated Minnesota 3-0 (26-24, 25-21, 25-14) on Oct. 11 in Minnesota's Sports Pavilion. The Nittany Lions head into Friday's match with a 33-7 record against the Gophers.
What's Next?
The Nittany Lions are back in action at Wisconsin on Friday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. (CT). From there, the Lions travel to Iowa for a 7 p.m. (CT) meeting with Iowa on Saturday, Nov. 7. Penn State returns home to Rec Hall on Friday, Nov. 13 vs. Illinois for a 7 p.m. matchup with the Illini.