UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. – Penn State women’s volleyball returns to the Palestra for the first time in 41 years when it plays Stanford on Friday, Sept. 11. The match is a part of The Palestra’s 100th Anniversary Celebration, which will include numerous high-profile events throughout the 2026-27 sports seasons.
Penn State played at The Palestra just one other time in the program’s first 50 seasons. The Nittany Lions swept Pennsylvania 3-0 on Nov. 2, 1985.
“I am incredibly excited for our team and for the sport of volleyball to have the opportunity to compete in such a historic venue,” said Penn State head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley. “Celebrating 100 years, The Palestra has been the home to countless unforgettable moments in college athletics, and it is truly one of the most iconic arenas in the country. To be able to play in a building with that kind of tradition and history is something our student-athletes will remember for the rest of their lives.”
Schumacher-Cawley herself is very familiar with The Palestra. She was the head coach of Penn in 2017 and posted six wins in the team’s home venue.
The University of Pennsylvania is a place that holds special meaning for me, so having the opportunity to return to Philadelphia and compete there makes this event special,” Schumacher-Cawley said. “I’m grateful that our team will get the chance to play against Stanford in front of what I know will be an incredible atmosphere. Events like this continue to elevate our sport, honor its history, and create experiences that inspire our players and fans.”
The matchup features the teams with the first- and second-most national titles in the history of Division I women’s volleyball. Stanford leads the way with nine championships, including the team’s most recent in 2018 and 2019. Penn State is second with eight titles, with the most recent coming just two seasons ago in 2024.
The two national powers have played a near even series history since the first meeting in 1992. Stanford leads the series 14-13, but Penn State won the most recent matchup in five sets in 2022. That is the only meeting between the teams in Schumacher-Cawley’s time as head coach of the Nittany Lions.
Game time, television information and ticket details will be announced at a later date.
The 2026 Penn State women’s volleyball season is presented by Musselman’s.