Nov. 17, 2011
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The four-time defending national champion Penn State women's volleyball team is ranked No. 12 nationally as it heads into its final weekend of home matches before the postseason begins. The Nittany Lions are set to square off with Indiana at 7 p.m. on Nov. 18 before challenging No. 8 Purdue on Nov. 19, also at 7 p.m.
Prior to Saturday's match, the squad's two seniors, Katie Kabbes (Raleigh, N.C.) and Megan Shifflett (Falls Church, Va.) will be honored for their contributions to the Nittany Lion program the last four years.
Nittany Lion Preview
The Nittany Lions own a 19-7 overall record with a 12-4 record in the Big Ten after splitting last weekend with a 3-0 loss at then No. 7 Illinois and a 3-0 sweep of Northwestern. Sophomore Deja McClendon (Louisville, Ky.) led the Nittany Lions with 6.17 kills per set, while freshman setter Micha Hancock (Edmond, Okla.) averaged 12.83 assists per set and 0.83 aces per set. Sophomore Ali Longo (Littleton, Colo.) had 4.83 digs per set and sophomore Katie Slay (Raleigh, N.C.) put up 1.33 blocks per set.
For the week, Penn State hit .294 as a team and averaged 15.33 kills per set, 15.17 assists per set, 2.00 aces per set, 15.67 digs per set and 2.83 blocks per set.
Penn State vs. Indiana
The Nittany Lions are 42-1 all-time versus the Hoosiers dating back to1982. Penn State visited Indiana earlier this season on Oct. 15 and earned a convincing 3-0 victory. Indiana secured their first win against Penn State in program history in 2010 in Bloomington. Penn State is 21-0 all-time against the Hoosiers at Rec Hall.
Scouting the Hoosiers
Indiana is currently 9-19 overall with a 1-14 record in Big Ten action. The Hoosiers opened the season with an 8-2 record. However, a loss against UC Santa Barbara on Sept. 17 was the start of a 17-match losing streak. The Hoosiers snapped the streak on Nov. 12 with a 3-2 victory against Iowa.
Penn State vs. Purduev Penn State owns a 45-6 record in the series with Purdue. In 2010 the Boilermakers earned their first win against Penn State since 1987 with a 3-2 win in West Lafayette. The Nittany Lions are 1-0 in 2011 against Purdue after defeating the then No. 11 Boilermakers on their home floor, 3-1.
Scouting the Boilermakers
The eighth-ranked Boilermakers have compiled a 24-3 record this season with a 13-3 record in the Big Ten. Purdue's three conference losses have come at the hands of nationally-ranked Illinois, Nebraska and Penn State. The Boilermakers have won their last nine matches. Purdue stops at Ohio State on Nov. 18 before traveling to meet the Nittany Lions.
What's Next?
The Nittany Lions close out the regular season next week with matches at Ohio State and Michigan State. Penn State takes on the Buckeyes on Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. before traveling to East Lansing, Mich. on Nov. 26 to face the Spartans. The
The NCAA will announce the tournament field on Sunday, Nov. 27 at 3 p.m. on ESPNews.
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.