In a thrilling championship match, the Penn State Nittany Lions emerged victorious over the hometown Louisville Cardinals to claim their eighth NCAA women’s volleyball title. The KFC Yum Center in Louisville, Kentucky hosted a record-breaking crowd of 21,860 passionate fans for an unforgettable final.
A Historic Victory for Penn State and Coach Schumacher-Cawley
This championship marks a significant milestone for Penn State head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley, who became the first woman head coach to win the NCAA volleyball title since the tournament began in 1981. Schumacher-Cawley, a former Penn State player herself, took over the program from legendary coach Russ Rose who had guided the Nittany Lions to their previous seven titles.
“I’m inspired by the young kids that are sick. If I can be an inspiration, then I take that. But I feel good. I’m fortunate to be surrounded by so many great people.”
Katie Schumacher-Cawley, on her battle with breast cancer
Schumacher-Cawley’s historic victory is even more remarkable considering she was diagnosed with breast cancer in September but stayed with her team throughout the season. Her resilience and leadership inspired the Nittany Lions on their championship run.
Louisville’s Valiant Effort Falls Short
The Cardinals, playing in front of a hometown crowd, fought valiantly but ultimately couldn’t overcome the loss of star senior outside hitter Anna DeBeer to an ankle injury suffered in the semifinals. DeBeer, a Louisville native, led the team in kills and points per set this season.
Louisville did manage to win a thrilling second set 34-32, saving an incredible 10 set points. It was the most combined points ever in an NCAA tournament set. But the emotional effort seemed to take a toll, as Penn State won the next two sets 25-20 and 25-17 to secure the title.
Standout Performances
Penn State was led by the stellar play of outside hitter Jess Mruzik, a fifth-year senior transfer from Michigan. Mruzik notched 29 kills in the match and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.
“I think what really clicked was when all my teammates started looking at me saying, ‘I have your back, swing away, let it rip.’ That just allowed me to play free. The standard at Penn State is winning national championships. So this is like a dream come true.”
Jess Mruzik, Penn State outside hitter and tournament MOP
For Louisville, outside hitter Charitie Luper led the way with 21 kills in DeBeer’s absence. Coach Dani Busboom Kelly praised her team’s effort and the growth of the sport, with the championship airing on ABC for the second straight year.
Looking Ahead
With their eighth title, Penn State ties Stanford for the second-most NCAA volleyball championships. The Cardinal joined the ACC this year, but the ACC is still seeking its first title. Nebraska tops the list with nine.
As for Schumacher-Cawley and the Nittany Lions, they’ll savor this historic championship — one that featured thrilling comebacks, the roar of record-setting crowds, and the enduring spirit of a coach and team that refused to quit.
