UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – No. 15 Penn State women's volleyball is back at Rec Hall for the second-straight weekend as it hosts Michigan on Friday at 7:30 p.m., and Michigan State on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Saturday's match is the team's annual Silent Set in honor of current Penn State All-American Jonni Parker and to raise awareness for the deaf and hard of hearing community. The crowd is asked to remain completely silent until the Lions score their ninth point of the first set -- in honor of Parker, who wears jersey No. 9. The Rec Hall crowd can cheer as loud as possible when the ninth point is scored.
Friday, Nov. 5
7:30 p.m. (ET) | Michigan (13-8, 6-6 B1G) at No. 15 Penn State (15-7, 8-4 B1G) | Live Stats | B1G+
Saturday, Nov. 6
7 p.m. (ET) | Michigan State (9-12, 2-10 B1G) at No. 15 Penn State (15-7, 8-4 B1G) | Live Stats | B1G+
SERIES HISTORY - MICHIGAN
• Penn State is 52-5 all-time against Michigan in a series that began in 1981.
• The Lions have won the past four meetings against the Wolverines. Their last loss came in five sets in 2016.
• Penn State is 28-1 against the Wolverines in matches played at Rec Hall.
• The current senior class is 3-0 against Michigan, beating the Wolverines twice in 2018 and once in 2019.
SCOUTING MICHIGAN
• Michigan, which is receiving votes in the AVCA Poll, is 13-8 overall and 6-6 in the Big Ten after sweeping Iowa in its most recent match.
• The Wolverines rank second in the Big Ten in aces, averaging 1.59/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 2.41 digs/set this season.
SERIES HISTORY - MICHIGAN STATE
• Penn State is 50-7 all-time against Michigan State in a series that began in 1985.
• The Lions have won 13 straight matches in the series, with the last loss coming in 2013.
• Penn State is 25-3 against the Spartans at Rec Hall.
• The current senior class is 5-0 against Michigan State.
SCOUTING MICHIGAN STATE
• Michigan State is 9-12 overall and 2-10 in the Big Ten following losses to Maryland, Iowa, and Ohio State.
• The Spartans last win was a big one. They defeated nationally-ranked Purdue on the road.
• Sarah Franklin ranks second in the Big Ten in kills/set, averaging 3.99.
A LOOK AT THE BIG TEN STANDINGS
• Penn State is currently in a four-way tie with Ohio State, Purdue, and Illinois for fourth at 8-4.
• Wisconsin and Nebraska are tied for the conference lead at 10-2, while Minnesota is third at 9-3.
TOP WEEKEND MATCHUPS
Thursday - Minnesota at Ohio State - 7 p.m.
Thursday - Nebraska at Illinois - 9 p.m.
Saturday - Nebraska at Ohio State - 7 p.m.
Saturday - Minnesota at Illinois - 7 p.m.
NATIONAL RANKINGS STREAK
• Penn State has been ranked in 498 consecutive AVCA Coaches Polls.
• The Lions have appeared in every poll since the final rankings of the 1988 season.
LAST TIME OUT
• Penn State split its two matches at Rec Hall last weekend, sweeping Maryland on Friday before falling to Illinois in four sets on Saturday.
• The Lions hit .303 in the sweep of Maryland. Allie Holland had seven kills on .700 hitting.
• Jonni Parker and Kaitlyn Hord combined for 39 kills on .465 hitting in the loss to the Illini.
WEEKLY AWARDS
• Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week (1) -- Jonni Parker (9/6)
• Big Ten Setter of the Week (2) -- Gabby Blossom (9/27, 10/18)
UP NEXT
• Penn State plays the same two teams next weekend, travelling to take on Michigan on Friday. Nov. 12, and Michigan State on Saturday, Nov. 13.