Sept. 23, 2011
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The four-time defending national champion and fifth-ranked Penn State women's volleyball team continues Big Ten play on Saturday, Sept. 24 at Iowa. Action is set for 8 p.m. ET.
Nittany Lion Preview
The Nittany Lions opened Big Ten play on Sept. 21 in a history-making match at Nebraska. It marked the first time the two programs have met as members of the same conference. Despite suffering a 3-2 setback to the 10th-ranked Huskers, the Nittany Lions rallied from behind to tie the match at 2-2. However, Nebraska developed enough momentum early in the fifth set to win the match. Sophomore Ariel Scott (Ridgewood, N.J.) led the team with a career-high 23 kills, while sophomore Deja McClendon (Louisville, Ky.) was second on the team with 16. Freshman Micha Hancock (Edmond, Okla.) dished out 53 assists and was third on the team with 12 digs. Sophomore Ali Longo (Littleton, Colo.) had a team-best 16 digs, while McClendon tallied 143. Freshman Nia Grant (Warren, Ohio) led the Lions with five blocks, while sophomore Katie Slay (Raleigh, N.C.) and Scott had four blocks apiece.
Against the Huskers, Penn State hit .182 as a team and averaged 11.20 kills per set, 11.00 assists per set, 0.60 aces per set, 12.00 digs per set and 1.80 blocks per set.
Penn State vs. Iowa
The Nittany Lions are 40-0 all-time against the Hawkeyes and have swept Iowa in all but six matches. Last season defeated the Hawkeyes on Oct. 16 (25-16, 25-22, 25-19) and against on Nov. 26 (25-18, 25-13, 25-20).
Scouting the Hawkeyes
Iowa owns a 10-3 record in 2011. Iowa's losses came early on against Saint Louis (3-2), Marquette (3-1) and Iowa State (3-0). The Hawkeyes are on a seven-match winning streak heading into Big Ten play. Iowa faces Ohio State on Sept. 23 before meeting Penn State on Sept. 24.
What's Next?
The Nittany Lions continue conference play on Sept. 30 against Wisconsin followed by Minnesota on Oct. 1. Both matches wil be played at Rec Hall.
For more information on the Penn State women's volleyball team, please visit GoPSUsports.com. The Penn State women's volleyball 2011 season is presented by Rockvale Outlets.