UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- Women’s Volleyball National Champion Maggie Mendelson announces she will compete as a two-sport athlete for Penn State in the 2025-26 year. Mendelson will play women’s volleyball under head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley as well as women’s basketball under head coach Carolyn Kieger. She becomes the first, two-sport student-athlete at Penn State since Mac Hippenhammer played football and baseball for the Nittany Lions in 2018-19.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Maggie to Lady Lion Program. Her versatility, competitive spirit, and championship mindset—sharpened at the highest level with Penn State Volleyball—make her a tremendous addition to our program,” said Kieger. “Competing in two sports at this level takes a special kind of athlete, and we’re excited to see her bring that same grit and drive to the court with us. Following in Katies footsteps as a dual athlete gives me chills and I can’t wait to see Maggie thrive on both courts this season"
Coach Schumacher-Cawley said, “I am incredibly excited for Maggie to have the opportunity to play basketball here at Penn State. She is a fierce, competitive athlete with the drive and determination to succeed at the highest level. Her ability to contribute to both our volleyball and basketball programs is a true testament to her versatility, work ethic, and passion for sport.”
Mendelson came in as a 2024 junior transfer to Penn State after two seasons at Nebraska. She was instrumental in the success of the 2024 National Championship team, appearing in 127 sets while playing in all 37 matches including 36 as a starter at middle blocker. In her junior campaign, she hit .305 with 242 kills (1.91/set) while totaling 146 blocks (1.15) and four aces. The Utah native recorded double-digit kills seven times and hit better than .400 in five of those contests. Mendelson notched a season high 14 kills on .480 hitting in a four-set win over Michigan State. In the 2024 NCAA Tournament run, she averaged 1.05 kills/set and 0.90 block/set in six matches.
“Maggie has always carried a deep love for both volleyball and basketball, and the fact that she gets to pursue both here is something really special,” said Schumacher-Cawley. “I couldn’t be more thrilled to support her in this journey. She’s going to continue making an impact with her talent, leadership, and relentless spirit, and we’re lucky to have her representing the blue and white in such a unique and powerful way.”
Mendelson is familiar with playing two sports in the same season as she did in 2022-23 at Nebraska. Throughout her first two collegiate volleyball seasons, she played in 68 sets over 27 matches. Mendelson combined for 74 kills, 48 blocks and 16 digs throughout her time with the Huskers. She appeared in two NCAA Tournament runs for Nebraska as the team advanced to a regional in 2022 and the championship in 2023.
On the women’s basketball court, Mendelson averaged 2.0 points and 2.2 rebounds over 22 games for the Huskers.
Out of high school, Mendelson was the no. 32 basketball recruit in the nation according to ESPN in 2022. She also played nationally for the United States for both sports, competing for the Under 16 National Basketball Team in the FIBA Americas Championship in 2021 as well as the Under 18 and 19 National Volleyball Teams at the Pan American Cup (2022) and the FIVB U18 World Championships (2021).