Nov. 5, 2009
Complete release in pdf format
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The top-ranked Penn State women's volleyball team looks to extend its winning streak with trips to Wisconsin and Iowa this weekend. The Nittany Lions face the Badgers on Friday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. (CT), followed by a meeting with the Hawkeyes on Saturday, Nov. 7 also at 7 p.m. (CT).
With a 3-0 victory against then No. 7 Minnesota on Oct. 30, the Nittany Lions reached their 88th consecutive win to tie the fourth-longest Division I NCAA winning streak held by the UCLA men's basketball team. Two wins this weekend would give Penn State sole possession of third place on the list.
Fans can follow the Nittany Lions online this weekend courtesy of live stats and live audio provided by Penn State All Access at GoPSUsports.com.
Penn State Preview
The top-ranked Nittany Lions improved to 24-0 and 12-0 in conference play on Friday, Oct. 30 with a 3-0 (25-14, 25-16, 25-17) victory against then No. 7 Minnesota. Penn State remains in sole possession of first place in the Big Ten standings.
Against the Gophers, Penn State attacked at a .341 rate, while holding Minnesota to a meager .011. Penn State averaged 13.33 kills per set, 13.00 assists per set, 1.00 ace per set, 12.33 digs per set and 3.00 blocks per set. Senior Megan Hodge led the team with a 6.33 kills per set average, while senior setter Alisha Glass paced the Nittany Lions with 12.00 assists per set. Junior Cathy Quilico averaged 4.00 digs per set and junior Arielle Wilson averaged 2.00 blocks per set.
The Nittany Lions extended their NCAA-record winning streak to 88 consecutive matches and their home match winning streak to 68. The squad also extended their Big Ten winning streak to 57 straight matches and sit atop the all-time Big Ten consecutive wins list. The Nittany Lions own the top three spots.
Scouting the Badgers
Wisconsin currently sits at 6-6 in conference play with an 11-10 overall record. The Badgers have won three of their last five matches, including wins against Indiana (3-2), Northwestern (3-1) and Michigan (3-1). The Badgers lost their last match, 3-1, to Michigan State on Halloween.
Penn State vs. Wisconsin
Penn State and Wisconsin have met 40 times prior to Friday's match with PSU leading the series 34-6. The Nittany Lions have already met Wisconsin once this season, securing a 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-16) win at home in Rec Hall.
Scouting the Hawkeyes
Iowa currently sits tied for last place in the Big Ten with Indiana and Purdue. The three squads are 3-9 in league play. The Hawkeyes are on a three-match losing streak. Iowa's last victory came in a 3-0 sweep of Northwestern on Oct. 23.
Penn State vs. Iowa
The Nittany Lions meet the Hawkeyes for the second time this season and look to remain unbeaten when facing Iowa. Penn State is 37-0 all-time vs. the Hawkeyes. Earlier this season, Iowa became the first team in 2009 to take a set from Penn State. However, PSU came away with a 3-1 (25-16, 25-10, 24-26, 25-18) win.
What's Next?
The Nittany Lions return home on Friday, Nov. 13 for a 7 p.m. matchup with Illinois. Penn State also welcomes Northwestern to Rec Hall on Saturday, Nov. 14. The squads meet at 7 p.m. Live stats and live audio will be available via a link at GoPSUsports.com.
For more information on the Penn State women's volleyball team, please visit www.GoPSUsports.com. The Penn State women's volleyball 2008 season is presented by Rockvale Outlets and The Outlets At Hershey.