MINNEAPOLIS,Minn. – The No. 4 Penn State women's volleyball team fell in the Big Ten opener to the hands of hosts No. 7 Minnesota, 3-0: 25-22, 25-21, 25-19, on Wednesday evening at the Pav in Minneapolis.
Through the first and second sets, the youthful Nittany Lions battled with the Gophers, but ultimately, the home squad proved too much.
The Nittany Lions were scrappy on defense as three players scooped up over 10 digs, led by junior libero Kendall White, who finished with 18. Senior setter Bryanna Weiskircher scooped up 10, while freshman defensive specialist Jenna Hampton added a career-high 13.
Weiskircher finished the match with 29 assists, along with her 10 digs for the double-double. She also added four kills and two blocks.
Offensively, freshman Allyson Cathey and graduate student Taylor Leath each finished with eight kills. Leath added five digs, while Cathey added three blocks.
Freshmen Kaitlyn Hord and Jonni Parker added seven kills apiece.
Penn State was out-hit by the Gophers, as Minnesota put down 50 kills to PSU's 38.
The Nittany Lions will return to action on Sunday, September 23 at 1 p.m. as they head to Columbus, Ohio to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in Big Ten action.