Sept. 7, 2011
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The four-time defending national champion Penn State women's volleyball team continues its 2011 road slate this weekend at the Nike Big Four Volleyball Classic. Penn State plays Stanford on Sept. 9 at 8:30 p.m. ET. Depending on the outcome, the Nittany Lions will face either Texas or Florida on Sept. 10 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Nittany Lion Preview
The Nittany Lions improved to 4-1 in 2011, sweeping Miami (Ohio), Pittsburgh and New Hampshire at the University of Pittsburgh Invitational on Sept. 2-3. Sophomore Deja McClendon (Louisville, Ky.) started all three matches and averaged 3.33 kills per set, while sophomore Ariel Scott (Ridgewood, N.J.) played in six sets and averaged 3.50 kills per set. Freshman Micha Hancock (Edmond, Okla.) had 9.89 assists per set and a team-high 1.11 aces per set. Junior libero Kristin Carpenter (Mechanicsville, Va.) averaged 3.44 digs per set, while sophomore middle blocker Katie Slay (Raleigh, N.C.) put up 1.22 blocks per set.
For the weekend, Penn State hit .328 as a team and averaged 12.89 kills per set, 11.56 assists per set, 2.22 aces per set, 12.00 digs per set and 2.22 blocks per set.
Penn State vs. Stanford
The series between the Nittany Lions and the Cardinal is tied at 6-6. Penn State has won two of the last three matches, having defeated Stanford in 2007 and 2008 for the program's second and third national titles. The squads last met on Sept. 11, 2010 with the Cardinal winning, 3-0.
Scouting the Cardinal
Stanford is currently ranked No. 3 in the nation with an overall record of 4-0. The Cardinal swept Delaware and Rice to open 2011 and defeated both Notre Dame and Duke in four sets last weekend. Stanford welcomed back four starters and nine letterwinners from the 2010 squad that made it to NCAA Regional Finals and finished with a 27-4 record.
Penn State vs. Texas
The Nittany Lions are 10-6 all-time against the Longhorns. The squads have met in each of the last two seasons. Penn State defeated Texas, 3-2, for the 2009 NCAA title and swept the Longhorns in the 2010 NCAA National Semifinals.
Scouting the Longhorns
The No. 10 Longhorns are 2-2 overall this season with wins against Ole Miss and Pepperdine. Texas most recently traveled to Minnesota to play the Gophers in back-to-back matches. The Gophers won both, 3-0. The Longhorns returned five starters from the 2010 squad, which advanced to the NCAA National Semifinals.
Penn State vs. Florida
The Lions lead the series with the Gators, 7-3. The squads met last season in the Nike Big Four Volleyball Classic with the Nittany Lions winning, 3-1, in Gainesville.
Scouting the Gators
No. 7 Florida is 6-1 so far this season. Prior to suffering a 3-1 setback to Iowa State on Sept. 5, the Gators had swept all six of their previous opponents. Florida returned five starters and 10 letterwinners from its 2010 squad, which advanced to the NCAA Regional Semifinals.
What's Next?
Penn State is back at home on Sept. 16-17 to host the Penn State Classic. The Nittany Lions welcome Long Island, Rutgers and Florida Gulf Coast to Rec Hall in their final weekend of preseason play. Penn State opens its Big Ten slate on Sept. 21 at Nebraska.
Penn State is back at home on Sept. 16-17 to host the Penn State Classic. The Nittany Lions welcome Long Island, Rutgers and Florida Gulf Coast to 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.