Nov. 25, 2011
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The ninth-ranked Penn State women's volleyball team (22-7, 15-4 Big Ten) close out the Big Ten regular season on Saturday, Nov. 26 against Michigan State. The Nittany Lions face the Spartans at 6:30 p.m.
Penn State Preview
The Nittany Lions improved to 22-7 overall with a 15-4 record in Big Ten play with a 3-1 win at Ohio State on Nov. 23. Four Lions posted double-digit kills including, sophomore Deja McClendon (Louisville, Ky.) with 15, sophomore Katie Slay (Raleigh, N.C.) and Ariel Scott (Ridgewood, N.J.) with 12 apiece and sophomore Maddie Martin (Tampa, Fla.) with 10. Freshman Micha Hancock (Edmond, Okla.) dished out 51 assists, while sophomore Ali Longo (Littleton, Colo.) had a team-best 20 digs. McClendon was second on the team with 16 digs and Slay had a team-high three blocks.
Penn State hit .245 against the Buckeyes and averaged 14.5 kills, 13.25 assists, 2.5 aces, 16.75 digs and 1.5 blocks per set.
Penn State vs. Michigan State
Penn State owns a 36-6 record in the series with Michigan State. The Nittany Lions have won the last 16 meetings between the two programs. This will be the first meeting for the two squads in 2011. Last season, Penn State swept the Spartans at home in Rec Hall on Oct. 1 before defeating MSU, 3-1, on the road on Nov. 6.
Scouting the Spartans
The Spartans are 21-9 overall with a 10-8 record in league play. Michigan State opened the season with an 11-1 record. Despite a loss to Nebraska to open Big Ten action, the Spartans rebounded with a 3-1 win against Indiana. The Spartans have conference wins against Iowa, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Michigan and most recently defeated nationally-ranked Illinois, 3-1. The Spartans face Michigan on Wednesday, Nov. 23 before hosting Penn State.
What's Next?
The Nittany Lions await their fate in the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA will announce the tournament field on Sunday, Nov. 27 at 6 p.m. on ESPNews. The NCAA Tournament First and Second Rounds are scheduled for the weekend of Dec. 1-3.
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.