Sept. 29, 2011
Complete release in pdf format
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The four-time defending national champion Penn State women's volleyball team continues the Big Ten slate this weekend with matches vs. Wisconsin on Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. The Nittany Lions then face No. 10 Minnesota on Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. The match with the Gophers will air live on the Big Ten Network.
Prior to the match with the Badgers, the Nittany Lions will raise the 2010 Big Ten Championship banner. The following night prior to the Minnesota match, Penn State will raise the 2010 NCAA National Championship banner.
Tickets are available in advance by calling 1-800-NITTANY or are available at the Rec Hall ticket office prior to each match. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for youth and groups. Group tickets can be purchased in advance for $4.
Nittany Lion Preview
The Nittany Lions are now 8-4 overall after suffering a 3-2 setback at then No. 10 Nebraska and earning a 3-0 sweep vs. Iowa. Sophomore Ariel Scott led the team offensively averaging 5.12 kills per set, while sophomore Deja McClendon was second on the team with 3.25 kps. Freshman setter Micha Hancock paced the offense with 11.25 assists per set. In addition, Hancock was second on the team with 2.38 digs per set. Sophomore libero Ali Longo led the team in the back row with 4.12 digs per set. Slay was unbeatable at the net with 1.12 blocks per set, while Scott and Hancock each averaged 0.75 blocks per set.
For the week, Penn State hit .205 as a team and averaged 12.62 kills per set, 12.25 assists per set, 1.00 aces per set, 13.75 digs per set and 1.88 blocks per set.
Penn State vs. Wisconsin
The Nittany Lions lead the series with the Badgers 37-6. Penn State has won the last eight matches, six in 3-0 sweeps. Wisconsin's last win against Penn State was a 3-0 victory in Madison, Wis. on Oct. 27, 2006.
Scouting the Badgers
Wisconsin owns a 9-5 overall record in 2011 and is 1-1 in Big Ten action. The Badgers opened league play on Sept. 23 on a high note with a 3-0 win against Northwestern. Wisconsin then suffered a 3-0 setback to then No. 3 Illinois. The Badgers travel to Ohio State following their match with the Nittany Lions to take on the Buckeyes on Oct. 2.
Penn State vs. Minnesota
The Nittany Lions are 35-8 all-time vs. the Gophers. Penn State has won 12 of their last 13 matches with Minnesota. Last season, the Gophers earned a come-from-behind 3-2 (14-25, 21-25, 26-24, 25-23, 23-21) thriller against the Nittany Lions in Minneapolis. It was the Gophers' first win against Penn State since 2004.
Scouting the Gophers
The 10th-ranked Gophers are 8-3 so far this season and are 1-1 in Big Ten play. Despite opening conference play with a 3-2 loss to nationally-ranked Illinois on Sept. 23, the Gophers rebounded with a 3-1 victory against Northwestern on Sept. 25. Minnesota travels to Ohio State on Sept. 30 before visiting Penn State.
What's Next?
The Nittany Lions continue conference play with two more matches at home in Rec Hall. Penn State faces Northwestern on Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. before taking on Illinois on Oct. 8 at 8 p.m.
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.