After a season marked by unexpected changes and an early NCAA Tournament exit, No. 13 Penn State women’s volleyball is off to a compelling start in 2026.

Could this be the season the Nittany Lions replicate their 2024 national championship run? 

Following a tough 2-0 exhibition loss to No. 11 SMU at Spikes Under the Lights, Penn State has opened regular-season play with a 3-0 record, securing victories over UConn, High Point, and Hofstra at the Penn State Invitational.

With several new faces joining the roster this season, head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley has embraced her team’s depth, with all of her players seeing court time in the tournament. 

Here’s a position-by-position look at how each player performed this past weekend.

Setters

Alexis Stucky

The Florida transfer has already made a significant impact on the Nittany Lions, seemingly finding a way to build a strong connection with each of her hitters just three matches into the regular season.

Alexis Stucky’s ability to distribute the ball effectively has helped Penn State establish a balanced offensive attack. The redshirt senior dished out 86 assists in ten sets of play, as well as eight kills and three service aces. 

Danielle Whitmire

The freshman from Celina, Texas, appeared in four sets and recorded 21 assists, including 16 against High Point.

Although this is Danielle Whitmore’s first collegiate season, her experience with USA Volleyball has taught her poise in high-stakes matches and confidence in setting explosive hitters. 

Middle Blockers

Kendall Northern

Kendall Northern is already proving her value out of the middle, delivering eight kills in four sets. She has been particularly effective running slides with Stucky, connecting twice for kills against Hofstra on Sunday.

Northern was named the 2025-26 Gatorade Ohio Volleyball Player of the Year, and a stellar senior campaign has propelled her into Penn State’s program nicely. 

Gabrielle Nichols

Gabrielle Nichols was one of Penn State’s standout performers throughout the tournament and looks significantly stronger from the middle.

The North Carolina native totaled 20 kills and 11 blocks over the weekend, putting her on pace to surpass last season’s totals of 68 kills and 49 blocks. The sophomore racked up 14 points against High Point and looked very comfortable hitting from Stucky.

Ryla Jones

The 6-foot-2 Pitt transfer brings another dimension to Penn State’s middle attack, recording eight kills and nine blocks across eight sets.

However, Ryla Jones’ impact from the service line was arguably her most significant contribution. Serving was a notable area of concern for the Nittany Lions last season, but Jones provided an immediate spark with five aces against High Point.

After recording just one ace in two seasons at Pitt, her development at the backline adds another valuable weapon to her arsenal. 

Outside Hitters

Emmi Sellman

Although Emmi Sellman started 31 of 32 matches last season, her role has shifted this year, coming off the bench to provide relief in the middle of matches.

The 6-foot-4 junior has an infectious energy, and when she hits the court, she immediately fires up her teammates. Sellman contributed five kills and one block during the tournament. 

Caroline Jurevicius

A key contributor during Penn State’s 2024 national championship run, Caroline Jurevicius enters this season looking to reclaim her craft and establish herself once again as a consistent offensive threat.

After dealing with a lower-back injury late last season, the redshirt junior has spent the offseason fine-tuning her game. With steady appearances at both outside and right side, her versatility could play a huge role down the stretch. She appeared in four sets over the weekend and recorded five kills in limited action. 

Haley Burgdorf

The true freshman has been nothing short of impressive in her first collegiate season. Haley Burgdorf started all three matches and finished the weekend with 12 kills, 18 digs, and two service aces, including six kills against UConn.

The 2025-26 Gatorade Illinois Volleyball Player of the Year is already playing with the composure of a veteran. After recording 435 kills, 198 digs, and 52 aces during her senior season, she’s expected to shine in all three statistics. 

Whitney Lauenstein

After spending time at Nebraska and Texas, Lauenstein looks to end her collegiate career as a Nittany Lion.

The 6-foot-2 graduate student has adjusted quickly to Happy Valley, earning a starting role and establishing herself as one of Penn State’s primary offensive weapons on the outside. Whitney Lauenstein already has 30 kills under her belt, reaching double figures twice.

She has also contributed four service aces, 10 digs, and four blocks.

Finley Krystkowiak

The 6-foot-4 freshman aims to emerge as one of Penn State’s most intriguing weapons.

Ranking No. 10 nationally in high school, Finley Krystkowiak has a powerful swing that delivered 14 kills in seven sets and provided one of the weekend’s most electric moments in the form of a massive overpass kill.  

Alexis Ewing

The Maryland native has not seen the court this season due to a suspected injury. 

Alexis Ewing played 50 sets her freshman year, tallying 77 kills and 19 blocks. Her return will give Penn State another strong offensive option in the rotation.

Defensive Specialists

Ava Falduto (Libero)

After spending her first two seasons as a defensive specialist, Ava Falduto has been named the Nittany Lions’ libero following the graduation of Gillian Grimes.

The 5-foot-7 Illinois native has 592 career digs, earning 44 across 11 sets this past weekend. She recorded an impressive 22 digs against High Point and has naturally transitioned into her new role. 

Jocelyn Nathan

Jocelyn Nathan is a true leader of this squad and provides stability on the defensive end.

The senior captain has 214 career digs, earning 14 in the tournament after appearing in all 11 sets. Her experience and vocal presence will be valuable as the Nittany Lions aim for a deep postseason run. 

Lexi Gin

Lexi Gin played in six sets over the weekend, tallying four digs. Gin is known to sub in to provide support from the service line and in serve receive, working the back row alongside Falduto and Nathan.

Ava Jurevicious

The sophomore appeared in two sets of the tournament and will look to continue to earn playing time on the court.

Most commonly joining the match to serve, Jurevicious’s continued development from the service line and back row is sure to earn her more opportunities. 

Right-Side Hitters

Kennedy Martin

Undoubtedly one of the faces of Penn State volleyball and an early player of the year candidate, Kennedy Martin has been nothing but a force throughout her two seasons in Happy Valley.

As she rekindles her connection with Stucky, both former Florida Gators, this duo will be dangerous all season long. Martin had 30 kills in the tournament, including 17 against Hofstra. The record-setting senior has 664 kills as a Nittany Lion and will look to exceed the 2,000 career kill mark this season.

---

With an exciting four months of play ahead, the Nittany Lions look to build on the early season momentum and reestablish themselves as title contenders once more.

The team will head to Chicago, Illinois, to face off against Kentucky in the inaugural Allstate Big Ten-SEC Volleyball Challenge at Wrigley Field. Tune in on Sunday, September 6, at 7 p.m. on FOX.