Penn State women’s volleyball head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley was diagnosed with breast cancer, she announced via Instagram Thursday.

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“I want to take a moment to share something deeply personal with all of you. Recently, I was diagnosed with breast cancer,” Schumacher-Cawley wrote. “This news has been a lot to process, and as you can imagine, it has brought a range of emotions. But I’m approaching this with strength, determination, and an unwavering sense of hope.

“We will draw inspiration from the many people in our lives that have battled cancer and have emerged victorious.

“I am incredibly fortunate to have an amazing support system in my family, team, friends, my Penn State family, and an incredible medical team. Their encouragement and love gave me the courage to face the road ahead with a positive outlook. I know this journey will have its challenges, but I also know that with the care and strength of those around me, I am ready to meet it head-on.

“I also want to take a moment to acknowledge and thank the women and men who have gone through this before me. The strength, courage, and determination you’ve shown have not only been inspiring, but you have also helped advance the incredible progress we see in medicine today. Your journeys have paved the way for better treatments and outcomes, and I’m deeply grateful for that. You have and will continue to help those who are just starting this battle, like myself. Your resilience is making a difference every day.”

Schumacher-Cawley didn’t seem to be stepping down as head coach.

“As I begin this process, I ask for your understanding, compassion, and patience. My focus will be on my family, my team, and of course, my health and recovery. It is business as usual at Rec Hall,” she wrote. “I have the most amazing staff that doesn’t skip a beat.”

Schumacher-Cawley, 44, is in her third season as the head coach of the Nittany Lions after spending four years as an assistant coach. In her three years at the helm, she has a 65-18 record and two NCAA Tournament appearances. This year, Penn State is 16-1 and ranked No. 3 in the nation.

Prior to her coaching career, Schumacher-Cawley was a standout player at Penn State. She was a three-time All-Big Ten selection and two-time AVCA All-American, while also winning the national championship in 1999. Schumacher-Cawley was also a member of the 2001-02 Penn State women’s basketball team.

Schumacher-Cawley thanked the Penn State community and athletic department, including Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Pat Kraft, for their support after the diagnosis, saying, “It is truly a blessing, and it demonstrates why Penn State is a special place.

“As we move ahead, I ask that you please respect the privacy of this personal journey for my family. We want the focus of the next several weeks and months to be on the team, their season, and the incredible things they do as inspiring women in the classroom and on the court. WE ARE.”

Penn State’s game on 2 p.m. Sunday against Minnesota will serve as the team’s Dig Pink game in partnership with The Side-Out Foundation. Folks interested in donating to the cause can do so here.