UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – No. 15 Penn State women's volleyball closes the 2021 regular season with a pair of matches at Rec Hall this weekend. The Lions host No. 10 Minnesota on Friday at 8 p.m., in a match that will air live on B1G Network. They follow that with a match against Iowa on Saturday at 7 p.m. Nine players -- Gabby Blossom, Keatan Broughton, Katie Clark, Jenna Hampton, Kaitlyn Hord, Jonni Parker, Erika Pritchard, Adanna Rollins and Sophie Walls -- will be honored for Senior Day following Saturday's match.
The NCAA Division I Championship bracket will be announced live on ESPNU on Sunday at 8:30 p.m. Head coach Russ Rose has led the Nittany Lions to an appearance in every NCAA Tournament since its inception in 1981.
Friday, Nov. 26
8 p.m. (ET) | No. 10 Minnesota (18-8, 13-5 B1G) at No. 15 Penn State (19-9, 12-6 B1G) | Live Stats| B1G Network
Saturday, Nov. 27
7 p.m. (ET) | Iowa (5-23, 3-15 B1G) | Live Stats | B1G+
PROMOTIONS
Friday - Ugly Sweater Night - Everyone is encouraged to get into the holiday spirit by wearing their favorite ugly sweater ot Friday night's match. The three best ugly sweaters will be chosen to compete for the best ugly sweater, as chosen by the crowd. The winner will go home with a 65" TV!
Saturday - The team's nine seniors will be honored following the match.
SERIES HISTORY - MINNESOTA
• Penn State is 49-14 in the all-time series with Minnesota, including a 3-0 (25-18, 27-25, 25-22) win in Minneapolis earlier this season.
• The Lions are 26-4 against the Gophers in matches played at Rec Hall, but lost the most recent home matchup in four sets in 2019.
• In Penn State's sweep at Minnesota earlier this season, the Lions hit .356. Leading the way were Jonni Parker (16 kills, .341), Kaitlyn Hord (15 kills, .444), Allie Holland (12 kills, .550) and Adanna Rollins (11 kills, .333). Gabby Blossom had a double-double with 44 assists and 14 digs.
SCOUTING MINNESOTA
• Minnesota, which is ranked No. 10 in the nation, is 18-8 overall and 13-5 in the Big Ten following a 3-2 loss to No. 5 Wisconsin.
• Following their loss to Penn State on Oct. 22, the Gophers won six straight matches, including four against nationally-ranked opponents.
• Senior right side hitter Stephanie Samedy ranks first in the Big Ten in kills/set (4.82) and first in points/set (5.34).
SERIES HISTORY - IOWA
• Penn State has never lost to Iowa, going 55-0 in a series that began in 1991.
• The Lions are 28-0 against the Hawkeyes at Rec Hall.
• Penn State has won 12 straight sets against Iowa dating back to 2017.
SCOUTING IOWA
• Iowa is 5-23 overall and 3-15 in the Big Ten following losses to Ohio State (3-1) and Indiana (3-0).
• The Hawkeyes have league wins this season over Michigan State (3-1), Indiana (3-1) and Maryland (3-1).
• Courtney Buzzerio ranks second in the Big Ten in kill/set (4.01).
NATIONAL RANKINGS STREAK
• Penn State has been ranked in 501 consecutive AVCA Coaches Polls.
• The Lions have appeared in every poll since the final rankings of the 1988 season.
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 will play in the First and Second Rounds of the NCAA Tournament.