Oct. 6, 2009
Complete Release in pdf format
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The No. 1 Penn State women's volleyball begins a four-match road trip on Wednesday, Oct. 7 when it travels to Big Ten foe Ohio State. Action is set to begin at 8 p.m. in Ohio State's St. John Arena.
The match will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network and live stats will be available via a link at OhioStateBuckeyes.com. Fans can also access live audio via a link at GoPSUsports.com.
Nittany Lion Preview
The Nittany Lions improved to 16-0 and 4-0 in conference play with victories against Iowa and Wisconsin in its Big Ten home opening weekend. On Oct. 2, Penn State dealt the Hawkeyes a 3-1 (25-16, 25-10, 24-26, 25-18) loss and secured a 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-16) win against Wisconsin on Oct. 3.
The Nittany Lions registered a .370 attack percentage in its to Big Ten matches. Penn State averaged 14.5 kills per set, 13.5 assists per set, 1.43 aces per set, 11.71 digs per set and 3.57 blocks per set. Senior Megan Hodge led the squad with 32 kills (4.57 kps), while senior setter Alisha Glass posted 78 assists for a 13.5 aps average. Glass also led the squad with 26 digs, averaging 3.71 dps. Junior Arielle Wilson had a team-high 14 total blocks (2.00 bps).
The Nittany Lions have extended their NCAA-record winning streak to 80 consecutive matches. However, the team's regular-season sets winning streak came to an end at 141 with a 24-26 third set loss to Iowa on Friday, Oct.2. The Nittany Lions have now tied their Big Ten winning streak record with 49 consecutive matches. Penn State hasn't lost a league match since Nov. 8, 2006.
Scouting the Buckeyes
Ohio State is currently 2-2 in league play with wins against Northwestern and Iowa and losses to nationally-ranked Illinois and Wisconsin. The Nittany Lions will be only the second ranked team the Buckeyes have faced this season. OSU is coming off a 3-1 (23-25, 25-20, 19-25, 21-25) loss to Wisconsin on Oct. 2 and a 3-0 (25-17, 25-20, 25-22) sweep of Iowa on Oct. 3.
The Series: Penn State vs. Ohio State
The Nittany Lions are a perfect 32-14 all-time against the Buckeyes in a series that began Sept. 12, 1981. Penn State won the first meeting 2-0 (15-4, 15-9). The Nittany Lions swept the Buckeyes in both meetings during 2009. However, the Buckeyes were the last conference team to defeat the Nittany Lions with a 3-0 (30-19, 30-26, 30-21) win on Nov. 8, 2006.
What's Next?
Penn State continues its four-match road trip at No. 5 Minnesota on Sunday, Oct. 11. The match will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network. The Nittany Lions then travel to No. 8 Michigan on Oct. 16 and No. 18 Michigan State on Oct. 17 before returning home for an Oct. 23 match with Indiana.