UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The 20th-ranked Penn State women's volleyball team opens the 31st season of Big Ten play when it travels to take on Rutgers on Friday. The Lions follow that with a home match against No. 3 Ohio State on Big Ten Network on Sunday. The Lions are 23-7 all-time in Big Ten openers. They have won each of the past two Big Ten openers, defeating Michigan State in 2019 and Illinois in 2020.
Friday, Sept. 24
7 p.m. | No. 20 Penn State (7-3, 0-0 B1G) at Rutgers (8-3, 0-0 B1G) | Live Stats | Watch
Sunday, Sept. 26
4 p.m. | No. 3 Ohio State (10-0, 0-0 B1G) at No. 20 Penn State (7-3, 0-0 B1G) | Live Stats | Big Ten Network
SERIES HISTORY - RUTGERS
• Penn State is 37-9 all-time against Rutgers in a series that began in 1977.
• The Lions have won 28 straight matches in the series. The Scarlet Knights' last win came in 1982 in Rhode Island. The last 15 Penn State wins have come by sweep (45 sets). Rutgers last won a set in 2001.
• Penn State is 10-1 in away matches against Rutgers.
• The current senior class for the Lions is a perfect 6-0 against the Scarlet Knights.
SCOUTING RUTGERS
• Rutgers is 8-3 following a 3-0 (25-19, 25-19, 25-16) loss to Clemson in its most recent match.
• The Scarlet Knights were picked to finish 11th out of 14 teams in the Big Ten Preseason Poll.
• Senior setter Inna Balyko was a first-team All-Big Ten selection last season.
SERIES HISTORY - OHIO STATE
• Penn State is 50-18 all-time against Ohio State in a series that began in 1981.
• The Buckeyes won both matches last season, one at home and one at Rec Hall.
• In the first matchup last season -- played in Columbus -- Penn State led 2-0 in the match before dropping the third set 25-23 on its way to a loss.
• Penn State is 26-6 against Ohio State at Rec Hall.
SCOUTING OHIO STATE
• Ohio State is ranked third in the nation and is a perfect 10-0 after posting back-to-back wins over Notre Dame last weekend.
• The Buckeyes were picked sixth in the Big Ten Preseason Poll. Emily Londot was a Preseason All-Big Ten selection.
• Londot was one of five Ohio State players on the All-Big Ten Team following last season, joining Mac Podraza, Vanja Bukilic, Kylie Murr and Rylee Rader.
NATIONAL RANKINGS STREAK
• Penn State has been ranked in 492 consecutive AVCA Coaches Polls.
• The Lions have appeared in every poll since the final rankings of the 1988 season.
LAST TIME OUT
• Penn State swept matches against Robert Morris and West Virginia at the Mountaineer Invitational.
• Jonni Parker was named the Tournament MVP. She was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Allie Holland and Gabby Blossom.
• Holland had one of her best weekend's as a Nittany Lion. She hit .538 with 15 kills, 10 blocks and one ace over six sets.
UP NEXT
• Penn State opens Big Ten play with a match at Rutgers on Friday, Sept. 24, and follows that with a home match against Ohio State on Big Ten Network on Sunday, Sept. 26.
