UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The No. 4 Penn State women's volleyball team heads to Rutgers for the second-straight match-up with the Scarlet Knights on Saturday evening in College Avenue Gym in a 7 p.m. Big Ten Conference match. In the first meeting on Wednesday evening, Penn State took the match at Rec Hall, 3-0: 25-14, 25-18, 26-24.
#4 Penn State at Rutgers
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SERIES HISTORY
Vs. RUTGERS
Penn State will square off with Rutgers for the second this week, as they hosted the Scarlet Knights on Wednesday, October 17, winning 3-0, and head to Piscataway, N.J. on Saturday, October 20. Penn State holds a 32-9 all-time record over the Scarlet Red & Black.
Last Ten Results - Rutgers
09/08/01 30-24, 30-28, 30-32, 30-25 W H
08/30/02 30-14, 30-10, 30-16 W H
09/03/04 30-24, 30-25, 30-18 W H
09/17/11 25-12, 25-17, 25-14 W H
11/07/14 25-11, 25-12, 25-10 W H
11/06/15 25-19, 25-17, 25-12 W A
09/21/16 25-17, 25-17, 25-5 W A
10/08/16 25-13, 25-16, 25-10 W H
11/4/17 25-9, 25-9, 25-12 W H
11/18/17 25-5, 25-9, 25-9 W A
10/17/18 25-14, 25-18, 26-24 W H
FRESHMAN FORCES
Penn State has seen six of their eight freshmen play significant time so far this season. Jonni Parker, the Nittany Lions' starting opposite, is currently the leading point scorer, totalling 203.5 points on the season. Kaitlyn Hord and Serena Gray have found themselves as the starting middle blockers. Allyson Cathey had to stepped in to start at the outside position during four matched without Nia Reed. Both Jenna Hampton and Gabby Blossom have seen time as defensive specialists. The rookies combine for 444 of the team's 806 kills, or 54.0-percent. They also have recorded 54.0-percent of the total points.
MUCH NEEDED EXPERIENCE
While Penn State has relied heavily on the play of the eight freshmen on the sideline, it has been the play of Penn State's four fifth year seniors that has really provided an anchor to the line-up. Taylor Leath, a graduate student, Nia Reed and Bryanna Weiskircher, both redshirt seniors, and Bayleigh Hoffman, a fifth-year senior with a wealth of experience after spending two years at Louisiana Monroe, a redshirt year at North Florida, and a year on Penn State's club team, have all helped guide these freshman. Leath and Reed have anchored from the outside, while Weiskircher has conducted a balanced offense so far as the team's starting setter. Hoffman has seen time as a serving sub, providing a blow for a few freshman.
BALANCED ATTACK
Penn State has had five different athletes lead them in kills so far this season. Nia Reed has led the Nittany Lions on seven occasions, including a career-high 20 kills against Nebraska. Taylor Leath and Jonni Parker have led in five matches. Kaitlyn Hord has led in three matches, while freshman Allyson Cathey, who earned the start while Nia Reed was out, and led in kills on two occasions.
DIGGIN' MACHINE
Kendall White scooped up 290 digs so far this season, putting her at 1,252 for her career, just five digs from moving into ninth place. She is the first to surpass 1,000 since Dom Gonzalez in 2011-14.
Penn State Career Top-10 Digs
1. 1,957 Kaleena Walters, 2002-05
2. 1,685 Kim Kumfer, 1989-92
3. 1,522 Noelle Zientara, 1987-90
4. 1,474 Dominique Gonzalez, 2011-14
5. 1,313 Ellen Hensler, 1983-86
6. 1,306 Roberta Holehouse, 2005-08
7. 1,278 Salima Davidson, 1991-94
8. 1,265 Michelle Jaworski, 1987-90
9. 1,252 Kendall White, 2016-Pres.
10. 1,245 Alyssa D'Errico, 2007-10
11. 1,207 Sam Tortorello, 2002-05
UPDATED MATCH TIME VS. PURDUE
With the Penn State football game on October 27 getting a 3:30 p.m. start time, the Penn State vs. Purdue women's volleyball match has been pushed back to an 8:00 p.m. start.
DIG PINK MATCH
On Friday, October 26, Penn State will be hosting their 'Dig Pink' match to raise money for breast cancer research. The Nittany Lions will be having a silent auction during the match of the pink jerseys, while also having a raffle for a select few pink uniforms.
