Aug. 14, 2018
Big Ten Release
ROSEMONT, Ill. - The No. 6-ranked Penn State women's volleyball team has been picked to finish fourth in the Big Ten, according to the Big Ten women's volleyball coaches' poll announced on Tuesday afternoon.
Additionally, graduate student Taylor Leath and junior Kendall White were named to the 2018 Preseason All-Big Ten Volleyball team.
Leath, a native of Port Matilda, Pennsylvania, enters her first season with the Nittany Lions after a fantastic four years at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill.
At UNC, Leath was a three-year starting six-rotation outside, after redshirting her freshman season. She accumulated 928 kills, 624 digs, 171 blocks and 42 service aces. In 2016, Leath was named an American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) second-team All-American and was the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Player of the Year.
White, a native of Zionsville, Indiana, looks to improve on an impressive sophomore season.
The libero was All-Big Ten following the 2017 season for the Nittany Lions, averaging 3.76 digs per set while having a 96.3-percent success rating on her serve receive. Her back row play impressed not only league coaches, but the national competition as White was named to the AVCA All-American second team.
Leath, White and the rest of the Nittany Lions open up the 2018 season on Friday, August 24 as they host Eastern Kentucky at 7:30 p.m. for the first match of the Penn State Classic.
Fans can purchase single match online here, by calling 1-800-NITTANY, or by visiting the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office in person Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Adult tickets are $9 in advance, with costs rising to $11 at the door match days. Youth tickets cost $5 if purchased in advance. Groups of 20 or more can purchase tickets for $4 each as well.
Those looking to become season ticket holders can purchase online here: https://gopsu.info/WVBSeasonTix
The Penn State women's volleyball 2018 season is presented by McLanahan's.
2018 PRESEASON ALL-BIG TEN VOLLEYBALL TEAM
Ali Bastianelli, ILL
JORDYN POULTER, ILL
Taylor Louis, IOWA
CARLY SKJODT, MICH
Alexis Hart, MINN
STEPHANIE SAMEDY, MINN
SAMANTHA SELIGER-SWENSON, MINN
MIKAELA FOECKE, NEB
Kenzie Maloney, NEB
Taylor Leath, PSU
Kendall White, PSU
SHERRIDAN ATKINSON, PUR
DANA RETTKE, WIS
Tionna Williams, WIS
UNANIMOUS SELECTIONS IN CAPS
2018 BIG TEN PRESEASON POLL
1. Nebraska
2. Wisconsin
3. Minnesota
4. Penn State
5. Illinois
6. Michigan
7. Purdue
8. Ohio State
9. Michigan State
9. Iowa
11. Northwestern
12. Indiana
13. Maryland
14. Rutgers