Nov. 1, 2012
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The No. 3 Penn State women's volleyball team is back in action this weekend against No. 10 Minnesota and Wisconsin. The Nittany Lions (21-2, 11-1 Big Ten) face the Gophers on Friday, Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. and the Badgers on Sunday, Nov. 4 at 2 p.m. The Minnesota match will air live on the Big Ten Network and the Wisconsin match will be broadcast on ESPN2.
Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for youth, and can be purchased by calling 1-800- NITTANY or at the Rec Hall ticket office prior to each match.
There will be a Halloween Costume Contest at the Minnesota match and fans are encouraged to come in costume. The top six costumes will receive gift cards to the Penn State Bookstore. Sunday is Military Appreciation Day and a White Out. All attendees should wear white. Fans can also purchase a Seat for a Soldier for $4 to allow one of our nation's heroes to attend the match for free. In addition, canned goods will be accepted for donation to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank at both matches.
Nittany Lion Preview
The Penn State women's volleyball team is now 21-2 overall and 11-1 in the Big Ten with a 3-0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-15) sweep of Iowa on Oct. 24, but a 3-2 (25-12, 30-32, 25-19, 23-25, 10-15) setback to Nebraska on Oct. 28. Junior Deja McClendon (Louisville, Ky.) had 3.88 kills per set and classmate Ariel Scott (Ridgewood, N.J.) posted 3.25 kills per set. Sophomore Micha Hancock (Edmond, Okla.) averaged 11.88 assists per set, tied for the team lead in blocks per set with 1.38 and was third on the team in digs with 2.62 per set. Sophomore Dominique Gonzalez (San Antonio, Texas) registered a team-high 4.88 digs per set and McClendon averaged 3.88. Junior Katie Slay (Raleigh, N.C.) was a wall at the net with 1.38 blocks per set.
For the week, the Nittany Lions hit .276 and averaged 14.38 kills, 13.38 assists, 1.00 aces, 16.25 digs and 2.94 blocks per set.
Penn State vs. Minnesota
The Nittany Lions are 38-8 all-time against the Gophers. Earlier this season, Penn State defeated Minnesota, 3-0 (25-23, 25-8, 25-20) in Minneapolis.
Last Five Meetings
PSU 3-1, at PSU, Oct. 15, 2010
UM 3-2, at UM, Nov. 27, 2010
PSU 3-0, at PSU, Oct. 1, 2011
PSU 3-2, at UM, Nov. 4, 2011
PSU 3-0, at UM, Sept. 29, 2012
Scouting the Gophers
Minnesota is 19-4 overall this season and tied for second in the conference with a 10-2 record. The Gophers have won seven of their last eight matches, including 3-0 sweeps of Illinois, Northwestern and Wisconsin. Minnesota's last loss was on Nov. 14 at Nebraska with the Huskers winning 3-1.
Penn State vs. Wisconsin
The Nittany Lions lead the series with Wisconsin, 39-7. The Nittany Lions met the Badgers earlier this season on Sept. 28 and earned a convincing 3-0 (25-19, 25-21, 25-7) win.
Last Five Meetings
PSU 3-0, at UW, Sept. 26, 2010
PSU 3-0, at PSU, Nov. 12, 2010
PSU 3-0, at PSU, Sept. 30, 2011
UW 3-2, at UW, Nov. 6, 2011
PSU 3-0, at PSU, Sept. 28, 2012
Scouting the Badgers
Wisconsin has a 16-9 overall record this season and is 4-8 in Big Ten play. The Badgers' four conference win have come against Michigan (3-0), Iowa (3-2), Illinois (3-1) and Northwestern (3-1). The Badgers visit Ohio State on Nov. 2 before taking on the Nittany Lions.
What's Next?
The Nittany Lions remain at home to host Illinois and Northwestern. Penn State hosts Illinois on Nov. 8 at 8 p.m. and the match will air live on the Big Ten Network. The Nittany Lions welcome Northwestern to Rec Hall on Nov. 10 for a 7 p.m. match.
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.