Sept. 27, 2012
VIDEO: Maddie Martin and Deja McClendon Interview Coach Aird
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The top-ranked Penn State women's volleyball team (12-1, 2-0 Big Ten) travels to Big Ten foes Wisconsin and No. 10 Minnesota on Sept. 28-29. Both matches are scheduled for 8 p.m. starts.
Nittany Lion Preview
The Penn State women's volleyball team improved to 12-1 and 2-0 in the Big Ten win two 3-1 victories against then No. 3 Nebraska on Sept. 19 and Iowa on Sept. 22. Junior Deja McClendon (Louisville, Ky.) led Penn State with 4.25 kills per set, while junior Ariel Scott (Ridgewood, N.J.) posted 3.62 kills per set. Sophomore Micha Hancock (Edmond, Okla.) dished out 13.50 assists per set, 0.50 aces per set and 2.75 digs per set. On defense, McClendon was outstanding with a team-best 3.88 digs per set, while sophomore Dominique Gonzalez (San Antonio, Texas) averaged 3.38. Sophomore Nia Grant was strong at the net with a team-high 1.38 blocks per set, while junior Katie Slay (Raleigh, N.C.) added 1.25 blocks per set.
For the week, the Nittany Lions hit .297 and averaged 16.00 kills, 15.12 assists, 1.00 aces, 16.12 digs and 3.00 blocks per set.
Penn State vs. Wisconsin
Penn State leads the series with Wisconsin 38-7 dating back to 1986. The Nittany Lions have won nine of the last 10 matches. The Badgers most recently defeated Penn State last season on Nov. 6, 3-2, in Madison at the UW Fieldhouse.
Scouting the Badgers
Wisconsin is 13-2 overall with a 1-1 record in league action. To open conference play, the Badgers defeated Northwestern, 3-1, but suffered a 3-2 setback at Illinois. Wisconsin's only other loss in 2012 came to Creighton on Aug. 25.
Penn State vs. Minnesota
The Nittany Lions are 37-8 all-time against the Gophers dating back to 1983. The Nittany Lions have won 14 of the last 15 matches dating back to the second meeting of the 2004 season. Minnesota's last win against Penn State was Nov. 27, 2010 when the Gophers won, 3-2, on their home court.
Scouting the Gophers
The 10th-ranked Minnesota Gophers are 11-2 overall and 2-0 in Big Ten play. Minnesota's only losses so far this season were to nationally-ranked teams Texas and Kansas State during non-conference place. The Gophers defeated Illinois, 3-0, to open the Big Ten slate on Sept. 21 and earned a 3-1 win against Northwestern on Sept. 23.
What's Next?
The Nittany Lions remain on the road traveling to Northwestern and Illinois on Oct. 5-6. Both matches are set for 8 p.m. ET. Penn State returns home on Oct. 12-13 to take on Purdue and Indiana, respectively, at Rec Hall.
For more information on the Penn State women's volleyball team, please visit GoPSUsports.com. The Penn State women's volleyball 2012 season is presented by Rockvale Outlets.
The Penn State women's volleyball team is on Twitter and Facebook. Follow us @PennStateVBALL and at www.facebook.com/pennstatewomensvolleyball.