Nov. 16, 2010
Complete Release in PDF Format
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The No. 7 Penn State women's volleyball team remains at Rec Hall this week for matchups with Ohio State and No. 25 Northwestern. The Nittany Lions face the Buckeyes on Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. followed by the Wildcats on Friday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m.
Live stats will be available for both matches via a link at GoPSUsports.com.
Prior to the match against Northwestern on Friday evening, the six seniors on the 2010 Penn State women's volleyball team will be honored for their time, dedication and contributions during their careers as Nittany Lions.
Nittany Lion Preview
The three-time defending national champion Penn State women's volleyball team host Ohio State on Wednesday, Nov. 17 and No. 25 Northwestern on Friday, Nov. 19. Both matches will be streamed live on BigTenNetwork.com.
The Nittany Lions improved to 23-4 overall with a 13-3 record in league play with straight set wins against Wisconsin and No. 9 Illinois last weekend. The win against Illinois pushed Penn State into a tie for first place in the Big Ten standings. So far in 2010, three Nittany Lions are averaging 2.74 kills per set or more, including senior Blair Brown who leads the team with 3.94 kills per set. Freshman Deja McClendon is not far behind with 3.39 kills per set and senior Arielle Wilson is averaging 2.74 kills per set. Sophomore Kristin Carpenter has been the primary setter this season, averaging 10.98 assists per set. She has guided three of her primary hitters to a .314 hitting percentage or better. Senior libero Alyssa D'Errico has a team-high 3.86 digs per set, while there are three middle hitters averaging at least 1.19 blocks per set, including Wilson (1.19 bps), senior Fatima Balza (1.25 bps) and freshman Katie Slay (1.56 bps).
Penn State vs. Ohio State
The Nittany Lions are 35-14 all-time against the Buckeyes dating back to 1981. Penn State has won seven straight matches against Ohio State, including a 3-0 sweep earlier this season at OSU's St. John Arena.
Scouting the Buckeyes
Ohio State is 20-9 overall and 8-8 in Big Ten play. The Buckeyes have won three of their last five matches, including wins against Indiana, Michigan State and Wisconsin. The Buckeyes are 2-4 against nationally-ranked competition. The team's two wins came against Minnesota and Northwestern.
Penn State vs. Northwestern
The Nittany Lions own a 39-8 record against the Wildcats dating back to 1981. Earlier this season, Penn State defeated nationally-ranked Northwestern in straight sets. The Wildcats have not won a match against Penn State since 2002.
Scouting the Wildcats
Northwestern is currently tied with Ohio State with an 8-8 record in Big Ten play. The Wildcats are 18-9 overall. Northwestern is 3-4 against nationally-ranked opponents this season with the three wins coming against Tennessee, Minnesota, and most recently, Illinois. The Wildcats have own three of their last five matches, including wins against Iowa, Illinois and Indiana.
Penn State Recap
The Nittany Lions improved to 23-4 with a 13-3 record in Big Ten play with 3-0 sweeps of Wisconsin and No. 9 Illinois. Brown led the Nittany Lions with 27 kills, averaging 4.50 kills per set on .463 hitting. McClendon posted 22 kills on a team-best .553 attack percentage. Carpenter dished out 77 assists, while senior Cathy Quilico had a team-high 19 digs (3.17 digs per set). Balza was a wall at the net with 10 total blocks, averaging 2.50 blocks per set.
What's Next?
The Nittany Lions close out the regular season on the road with matches at Iowa and Minnesota on Nov. 26-27. Penn State faces the Hawkeyes on Nov. 26 at 2 p.m. and the Gophers on Saturday, Nov. 27 at 9:30 p.m. ET. The match with Minnesota will air live on the Big Ten Network.
For more information on the Penn State women's volleyball team, please visit GoPSUsports.com. The Penn State women's volleyball 2010 season is presented by Rockvale Outlets and The Outlets at Hershey.