No. 13 Penn State women’s volleyball (6-4, 0-0 Big Ten) swept Central Michigan (3-9, 0-0 Mid-American) 3-0 on Sunday afternoon.

The match featured three tight sets, but strong performances by Kennedy Martin and Caroline Jurevicius were too much for Central Michigan to overcome. The game marked the end of Penn State’s out-of-conference schedule.

How It Happened

The match started with a Penn State kill courtesy of Maggie Mendelson. The blue and white jumped out to an early 3-1 lead, but a pair of service aces by Central Michigan, along with a Kennedy Martin service error, gave the Chippewas the advantage. 

The two teams exchanged service errors with the score knotted at six, but Central Michigan was able to score the following two points. Mendelson was able to flip the script, as her second kill of the game propelled the Nittany Lions to five unanswered. An Addie Lyon ace and Caroline Jurevicius block highlighted the run, and prompted Central Michigan to use its first timeout trailing 12-9.

The Chippewas were able to claw back, as a Penn State service error and miscue brought Central Michigan to within one. The Nittany Lions didn’t surrender the lead, however, as kills by Mendelson, Martin, and Jordan Hopp provided Penn State with a cushion. The maroon and gold called another timeout, as Penn State had its eyes set on the first set, leading 20-17.

Following the timeout, the teams exchanged points in a series that included a strong kill by Jurevicius. A block by Mendelson and Martin gave the Nittany Lions set point, before they closed it out with another block by Hopp and Martin. Penn State took the opening set, 25-21.

Central Michigan took the opening point of the second set, but kills by Jurevicius, Mendelson, and a service ace by Ava Falduto gave Penn State a 3-1 advantage. The Chippewas were able to go on a small run to take back the lead, but a huge kill by Emmi Sellman tied the score. Things started to get messy for Penn State, as miscommunication led to two consecutive attack errors.

The Nittany Lions were able to regroup, as Martin notched a big kill down the line. Jurevicuis followed suit with one of her own. The score was tied 11-11 when Martin recorded two more kills. A block by Mendelson gave Penn State a bit of breathing room. Central Michigan called a timeout after being outscored 7-2 in the nine-point stretch. 

Penn State looked out of position following the break, as Central Michigan was able to make it a one-point game. Martin’s 11th kill of the game helped Penn State get back on track. The Nittany Lions led 22-20. 

Penn State closed out the set with relative ease, as a kill by Mendelson, a block by Hopp, and another kill by Alexis Ewing gave the Nittany Lions the 25-20 win. They led two sets to none as the team looked for the sweep.

The third set started out well for Central Michigan, as they jumped out to an early 3-1 lead. A 5-0 run for Penn State, which featured two kills and two service aces by Marti,n gave the Nittany Lions the advantage. Central Michigan called a timeout as it looked to get back on track.

Penn State came out of the timeout with a vengeance, winning five out of the next seven points. A pair of kills by Jurevicius, along with a kill from Ewing and service ace from Jocelyn Nathan, gave the blue and white an 11-5 lead. 

The six point lead didn’t last long, as Central Michigan stormed back to tie the game at 14 points. A kill from Martin and an attack error from the Chippewas put Penn State up by two. However, two errors on the Nittany Lions gave the maroon and gold the points right back. The game was tied, 19-19.

The teams exchanged the next four points before Central Michigan took the lead 22-21. A Jurevicius kill knotted the score, as both teams closed in on the 25-point mark. A big kill by Ewing brought the Nittany Lions one point closer, as the Chippewas called a timeout. 

Right after the stoppage, Mendelson recorded a kill to give Penn State a match point. A Central Michigan attack error appeared to give Penn State the victory, but the call was challenged by the coach of the Chippewas. The call stood, and Penn State took the set 25-22. The Nittany Lions would sweep Central Michigan 3-0.

Takeaways

• Martin had a very strong performance today, leading the team with 16 kills and 5 blocks. Jurevicius also had a strong performance, recording 10 kills.
• Penn State had periods throughout the match that featured miscommunication and multiple errors. The key for the Nittany Lions was their ability to quickly regroup and maintain the lead despite these stretches.
• Penn State closed out its non-conference schedule with a much needed sweep. The team will now turn its eyes to Big Ten play.

What’s Next?

Penn State will take on USC in its conference opener on Friday, September 26. It will mark the Team Ream Match and will air at 8 p.m. on Big Ten Plus.