Upset Alert! #2 Penn State Volleyball Sweeps #12 Creighton!
The Penn State Nittany Lions, defending national champions and ranked #2 in the nation, kicked off their 2025 season in dominant fashion, sweeping the #12 Creighton Bluejays 3-0 (25-18, 25-22, 27-25) at the AVCA First Serve event in Lincoln, Nebraska. A crowd of over 10,000 witnessed the impressive victory at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
New Faces Shine for Penn State
While Penn State lost key seniors from their championship squad, new players stepped up immediately. Junior Kennedy Martin, a transfer from Florida, earned MVP honors, hitting .344 with 14 kills and 9 digs. Senior middle blocker Jordan Hopp, playing in her home state, had a stellar performance with 10 kills and a .562 hitting percentage in her first start as a Nittany Lion.
Balanced Attack Key to Victory
Sophomore setter Izzy Starck orchestrated a balanced offensive attack, racking up 38 assists and helping five players record at least six kills. Caroline Jurevicius added eight kills, Emmi Sellman contributed seven kills and seven digs, and Maggie Mendelson chipped in with six kills and five blocks.
Penn State's defense was also strong, holding Creighton to a .167 hitting percentage. Gillian Grimes led the way with 15 digs, and Ava Falduto added 10.
Creighton's Ava Martin Impresses in Loss
Despite the loss, Creighton's Ava Martin, the preseason BIG EAST Player of the Year, had an outstanding performance, leading all attackers with 19 kills on .357 hitting. However, it wasn't enough to overcome Penn State's balanced attack and strong defense.
Creighton continues their season against #5 Texas at the Opening Spike Classic in Madison, Wisconsin.
Penn State, after defeating Creighton, went on to face #14 Kansas. Coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley, who received the Jimmy V Award for perseverance after battling cancer during the 2024 season, emphasized the importance of focusing on the present team and building a new identity after losing key players from the championship squad. The Nittany Lions are determined to defend their title and prove they are more than just last year's champions.