UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – No. 15 Penn State women's volleyball runs it back with both of the Big Ten teams from Michigan this weekend. The Lions head to Ann Arbor to take on Michigan on Friday at 7 p.m., and then go to East Lansing to play Michigan State on Saturday at 8 p.m. Both matches can be streamed on B1G+.
Penn State is coming off a weekend in which it beat both teams at Rec Hall. The Lions beat the Wolverines in four sets and held on to defeat the Spartans in five sets.
Friday, Nov. 12
7 p.m. (ET) | Penn State (17-7, 10-4 B1G) at Michigan (14-9, 6-6 B1G) | Live Stats| B1G+
Saturday, Nov. 13
8 p.m. (ET) | Penn State (17-7, 10-4 B1G) at Michigan State (10-13, 3-11 B1G) | Live Stats | B1G+
SERIES HISTORY - MICHIGAN
• Penn State is 53-5 all-time against Michigan in a series that began in 1981.
• The Lions have won the past five meetings against the Wolverines. Their last loss came in five sets in 2016.
• Penn State is 23-4 against the Wolverines in matches played in Ann Arbor.
• The current senior class is 4-0 against Michigan.
SCOUTING MICHIGAN
• Michigan, which is receiving votes in the AVCA Poll, is 14-8 overall and 7-7 in the Big Ten after sweeping Maryland (25-13, 25-14, 25-22) in its most recent match.
• The Wolverines rank third in the Big Ten in aces, averaging 1.52/set. May Pertofsky leads all players in the Big Ten, averaging 0.51 aces/set.
• Jess Mruzik was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team last season. She is averaging 3.55 kills/set and 2.45 digs/set this season.
SERIES HISTORY - MICHIGAN STATE
• Penn State is 51-7 all-time against Michigan State in a series that began in 1985.
• The Lions have won 14 straight matches in the series, with the last loss coming in 2013.
• Penn State is 24-4 against the Spartans in matches played in East Lansing. The Lions haven't lost a road match to the Spartans since 2002, a stretch of 16 matches.
• The current senior class is 6-0 against Michigan State.
SCOUTING MICHIGAN STATE
• Michigan State is 10-13 overall and 3-11 in the Big Ten following its five-set loss to Penn State last weekend.
• The Spartans hold a conference win over nationally-ranked Purdue on the road.
• Sarah Franklin ranks third in the Big Ten in points/set, averaging 4.53.
A LOOK AT THE BIG TEN STANDINGS
• Penn State is currently in a tie with Purdue for fourth in the Big Ten Standings. Ohio State sits one loss back in sixth.
• Wisconsin currently sits alone in first place at 12-2. Nebraska and Minnesota are tied for second at 12-3. Penn State has matches against Nebraska and Minnesota left on the schedule.
TOP WEEKEND MATCHUPS
Friday - Purdue at Wisconsin - 8 p.m.
Sunday - Ohio State at Illinois - 1 p.m.
Sunday - Purdue at Minnesota - 4:30 p.m.
NATIONAL RANKINGS STREAK
• Penn State has been ranked in 499 consecutive AVCA Coaches Polls.
• The Lions have appeared in every poll since the final rankings of the 1988 season.
LAST TIME OUT
• Penn State beat Michigan in four sets and Michigan State in five sets in matches at Rec Hall last weekend.
• Gabby Blossom (12.33 assist/set, 2.22 digs/set) was named the Big Ten Setter of the Week, and Jenna Hampton (5.33 digs/set, 1.22 assists/set) was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week following their performances against the Wolverines and Spartans.
• Kaitlyn Hord was selected as the Penn State Student-Athlete of the Week after a big weekend. She hit .486 while averaging 4.22 kills/set and 1.33 block/set.
WEEKLY AWARDS
• Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week (1) -- Jonni Parker (9/6)
• Big Ten Setter of the Week (3) -- Gabby Blossom (9/27, 10/18, 11/8)
• Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (1) -- Kaitlyn Hord (11/8)
UP NEXT
• Penn State is on the road next weekend for two matches against nationally-ranked opponents. The Lions play at No. 11 Nebraska on Friday, Nov. 19, and at No. 10 Ohio State on Sunday, Nov. 21.