Sitting at 17-11, Penn State women’s volleyball is still fighting for a spot in the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament with just two regular-season matches remaining.

It’s undoubtedly been an up-and-down season for the Nittany Lions. Still, they find themselves in a position to secure their 45th straight tournament appearance. The program has qualified for the postseason every year since its inception in 1981, the only school in NCAA history to achieve this feat.

Senior libero Gillian Grimes shared her mindset going into the tournament. “It’s honestly anyone’s game. We’re all 0-0, and we saw last year that if you just believe and have the grit to beat any team and want it more, anything can be done,” said Grimes during weekly media availability.

Penn State won last year’s NCAA Tournament, defeating Louisville 3-1. En route to securing its 8th national championship, the Nittany Lions took down Delaware State, North Carolina, Marquette, Creighton, and then reverse-swept Nebraska to clinch a spot in the championship game.

This year, Penn State projects to be a seventh or sixth seed in the bracket. Despite what many call a down year for the Nittany Lions, Grimes expressed confidence in her squad as they head into tournament play.

“We’re heading into the postseason with an underdog mentality, and I think we’ll do great,” she said.

Before they get to the postseason, Penn State has back-to-back conference matchups against No. 1 Nebraska on Friday, November 28, and Iowa on Saturday, November 29.

What can Penn State do to be at its best as the NCAA tournament arrives? Grimes believes it boils down to the Nittany Lions controlling their side of the net.

“Keeping it simple, making clean plays, and really believing in each other and trusting in each other,” is what the team is focused on, according to Grimes.

Assistant coach Mike Henchy identified Grimes as an essential cog to the program. The libero is a key leader and has been ultra reliable for Penn State in her career, playing in every match for Katie Schumacher-Cawley since she took over as head coach.

“She’s been such a steady presence for the back court, and she’s been able to elevate her game in matches that matter most for us,” said Henchy during weekly media availability.

To see where the Nittany Lions are slated in the bracket, folks can tune into the NCAA volleyball tournament Selection Show on Sunday, November 30, at 6 p.m. on ESPN.