Nov. 10, 2011
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The four-time defending national champion Penn State women's volleyball team is ranked No. 9 nationally has it heads into the first of two final regular season road trips. The Nittany Lions travel to No. 7 Illinois on Nov. 11 for a 7 p.m. match before taking on Northwestern on Nov. 12 at 8 p.m.
Nittany Lion Preview
The Nittany Lions own an 18-6 overall record with a 11-3 record in the Big Ten after defeated Minnesota, 3-2, but suffering a 3-2 setback at Wisconsin. Sophomore Ariel Scott (Ridgewood, N.J.) led the team with 4.90 kills per set, while sophomore Deja McClendon (Louisville, Ky.) had 4.00. Freshman setter Micha Hancock paced the offense with 11.80 assists per set and a team-best 3.10 digs per set. Sophomore Ali Longo (Littleton, Colo.) was second on the team with 3.00 digs per set. Freshman Nia Grant (Warren, Ohio) was impenetrable at the net with 1.50 blocks per set, as was sophomore Katie Slay(Raleigh, N.C.) who averaged 1.30 blocks per set.
For the week, Penn State hit .269 as a team and averaged 14.90 kills per set, 13.60 assists per set, 1.10 aces per set, 14.70 digs per set and 3.25 blocks per set.
Penn State vs. Illinois
The Nittany Lions are 37-8 all-time versus the Fighting Illini. Penn State and Illinois have already met once this season when the Illini were ranked No. 1. Illinois won the match at Rec Hall, 3-2. Last season, despite a 3-2 loss to Illinois in the season opener at Huff Hall, Penn State defeated the Illini in three sets at Rec Hall on Nov. 13, 2010.
Scouting the Fighting Illini
Illinois is currently ranked seventh in the nation. The Illini are 22-3 overall and 11-3 in conference play. They are part of a three-way tie for second place in the Big Ten with Purdue and Penn State. Illinois' three losses in conference play came at the hands of Nebraska, Minnesota and Purdue. Most recently the Illini swept Indiana on Nov. 5.
Penn State vs. Northwestern
Penn State owns a 41-8 record against the Wildcats dating back to 1981. Northwestern's last win against Penn State was a 3-1 victory on Nov. 23, 2002 in Evanston. The Nittany Lions hosted Northwestern on Nov. 5 this season and defeated the Wildcats, 3-2.
Scouting the Wildcats
Northwestern is 14-11 overall and has a 5-9 record in Big Ten action. The Wildcats are sitting in 10th place in the Big Ten. Northwestern opened conference play with three straight losses before defeating Indiana on Oct. 1, 3-0. The Wildcats went on to lose their next five matches before defeating Iowa, nationally-ranked Minnesota, Wisconsin and Indiana. The Wildcats' winning streak came to an end with a 3-0 loss to then No. 11 Purdue on Nov. 5. Northwestern hosts No. 22 Ohio State on Nov. 11 before hosting Penn State.
What's Next?
The Nittany Lions return home for their final two home matches of the regular season on Nov. 18-19 when they host Indiana and Purdue, respectively. Both matches are set for 7 p.m. The squad's two seniors, Katie Kabbes and Megan Shifflett, will be honored prior to the Nov. 19 match against Purdue.
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.