Penn State women’s volleyball is off to a 5-0 start this season and was ranked No. 3 in the nation in the most recent AVCA poll. While the Nittany Lions have already defeated three ranked teams, they will face a different kind of test this weekend.

Rec Hall is set to welcome in Duke, Princeton, and St. John’s for the Penn State Invitational, and the Nittany Lions will play three matches over the course of two days.

Head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley knows the stretch of matches will be a physical challenge for her players, but she noted they are preparing their bodies in several ways.

“I think it’s taking care of yourself all week, and getting your rest and eating well,” she said. “Doing all the extra things they do to help their bodies feel better throughout the week. I think they know how to do that now, and they’re doing a good job with it.”

Maggie Mendelson, a junior transfer from Nebraska who’s started in all five matches, is preparing for the upcoming weekend physically and mentally, working with her teammates and staff to do so.

“We’ve done a lot of work in the weight room just getting ready. Our bodies are prepared to do this,” Mendelson said. “And then just working with our coaches, seeing what we need to scout, really focusing on what we need for each team.”

Anjelina Starck echoed Mendelson’s emphasis on working with the team’s coaching staff to help the players through the weekend.

“We definitely use all our resources,” Starck said. “Our strength coach [Matt] Dorn and our trainer Scott [Campbell], they do whatever we need for us. So we’ll all get in the training room, get rehab, get ice, and get a good night’s rest, and be ready to play the next day.”

Despite all the resources made available, Schumacher-Cawley is still aware it’ll be a tough weekend. However, with many of the players having experience in tournaments similar to the Penn State Invitational, she’s confident in the entire roster’s ability to endure the stretch.

Every player on Penn State’s roster has appeared in at least one set this season, and Schumacher-Cawley believed depth will play a major role in the busy weekend.

“These kids are used to playing multiple matches coming from club season. They’ve done it,” Schumacher-Cawley said. “It is a lot, but we have depth, and we have a lot of people that can help and contribute. Everyone will have their opportunity this weekend to step up and do their job.”

Penn State’s first match is at 8:30 p.m. on Friday against Duke, with two following on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. against Princeton and 6:30 p.m. against St. John’s. All three matches will be played at Rec Hall, with Friday’s televised on FS1.