No. 11 Penn State women’s volleyball (9-0) got the win over Howard (5-6) in three sets (25-18, 25-12, 25-18) during the Nittany Lions’ first match in the Penn State Classic.

Once again, dominant play from the Nittany Lions’ offense maintained their undefeated status this season. Penn State is the lone Big Ten team that remains undefeated this season.

How It Happened

To start the game, Howard got the first point of the set, but Penn State quickly began to separate itself as it went up 10-5 through the first 15 points. But, the Bison turned up the heat and came back within one to make it 16-15. The Nittany Lions dominated in the last points first set, with exceptional play from Allie Holland, to get Penn State a 25-18 win in the first set.

Set 1 is done and dusted for @PennStateVBALL! pic.twitter.com/R6CfuCtMeF

— Penn State On BTN (@PennStateOnBTN) September 16, 2022

This momentum carried over to the second set, as Penn State came out with a 5-0 lead to start. The Nittany Lions were able to control the set by capitalizing on Howard’s mistakes, as well as continuing to be with its own play. Halfway through set two, Penn State commanded a comfortable 13-7 lead and had the momentum in its favor.

The dominance continued for Penn State in the second set, as it took a 12-point lead at 23-11 and ultimately took the set 25-12.

In the final set, Howard made a comeback push by starting with the 5-2 lead, and the game remained close through for much of the much, resulting in a 14-14 tie 28 points in. Howard did its best to stay in reach, but Penn State got its first lead of the set 19-17, and it never looked back.

However, Penn State pulled away and won the third and final set 25-18 to remain undefeated on the season.

Player Of The Game

Allie Holland | Middle Blocker

In her best game of the season so far, Holland had an impressive seven kills by the midway point of the second set, and she didn’t stop there. At the end of the game, Holland amassed 10 kills with a .429 hitting percentage, leading the Nittany Lions’ offense.

What’s Next

Penn State will be back at Rec Hall at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 17, against the University of Albany for its second game of the Penn State Classic.