UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – No. 15 Penn State women's volleyball is in the middle of a six-team battle for the Big Ten title and has two pivotal road matches this weekend. The Lions go on the road to play at No. 11 Nebraska on Friday at 9 p.m. ET, and then head to Columbus to take on No. 10 Ohio State on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET. Both matches will air live on B1G Network.
Six teams are currently within two matches of each other at the top of the standings. The Lions currently sit in a three-way tie with Minnesota and Purdue for third at 12-4, sitting one match back of Wisconsin and Nebraska, which are tied for first at 13-3. Sitting in sixth at 11-5 is Ohio State.
Friday, Nov. 19
9 p.m. (ET) | No. 15 Penn State (19-7, 12-4 B1G) at No. 11 Nebraska (19-6, 13-3 B1G) | Live Stats| B1G Network
Sunday, Nov. 21
3 p.m. (ET) | No. 15 Penn State (19-7, 12-4 B1G) at No. 10 Ohio State (21-5, 11-5 B1G) | Live Stats | B1G Network
SERIES HISTORY - NEBRASKA
• Penn State is 11-24 all-time against Nebraska in a series that began in 1981.
• The Huskers won the most recent matchup in four sets at Rec Hall earlier this season.
• Penn State is 3-18 against Nebraska in matches played in Lincoln. The teams last played at the Devaney Center in 2019. The Huskers won that match in five sets.
• Four of the last five matches between the teams have gone five sets.
SCOUTING NEBRASKA
• Nebraska, which is ranked No. 11 in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll, is 19-6 overall and 13-3 in the Big Ten following wins over Maryland (3-0) and Indiana (3-1).
• The Cornhuskers' Big Ten losses this season came to then-No. 3 Wisconsin (3-0), then-No. 11 Minnesota (3-2), and then No. 7 Ohio State (3-0).
• Nebraska ranks first in the Big Ten in digs/set (17.12) and opponent hiting percentage (.150).
SERIES HISTORY - OHIO STATE
• Penn State is 51-18 all-time against Ohio State in a series that began in 1981.
• The Lions won the first matchup this season, sweeping the Buckeyes at Rec Hall on Sept. 26.
• Penn State is 22-11 against Ohio State in Columbus.
SCOUTING OHIO STATE
• Ohio State, which is ranked 10th in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll, is 21-5 overall and 11-5 in the Big Ten following three straight wins over then-No. 9 Nebraska (3-0), Northwestern (3-1), and then-No. 25 Illinois (3-0).
• The Buckeyes are 10-1 on their home court at Nationwide Arena this season.
•Ohio State ranks first in the Big Ten and second in the nation in assists/set (13.69) and first in the Big Ten and second in the nation in kills/set (14.77).
TOP WEEKEND B1G MATCHUPS (TIMES ET)
Friday - No. 15 Penn State at No. 11 Nebraska - 9 p.m.
Sunday - No. 15 Penn State at No. 10 Ohio State - 3 p.m.
Sunday - No. 5 Wisconsin at No. 9 Minnesota - 5 p.m.
NATIONAL RANKINGS STREAK
• Penn State has been ranked in 500 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 and Michigan State for the second-straight weekend, this time going on the road for both victories.
• Gabby Blossom (13.50 assist/set, 3.13 digs/set) was named the Big Ten Setter of the Week, for the second-straight week, the fourth time this season, and the eighth time of her career. The eight Setter of the Week awards ranks fifth in conference history (the award was first given out in 2012).
• Adanna Rollins was selected as the Penn State Student-Athlete of the Week after averaging 3.75 kills/set and 2.75 digs/set in the two wins.
WEEKLY AWARDS
• Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week (1) -- Jonni Parker (9/6)
• Big Ten Setter of the Week (4) -- Gabby Blossom (9/27, 10/18, 11/8, 11/15)
• Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (1) -- Jenna Hampton (11/8)
UP NEXT
• Penn State closes the season with a pair of home matches. The Lions host Minnesota on Friday, Nov. 26, and Iowa on Saturday, Nov. 27.