No. 14 Penn State women’s volleyball (9-2, 1-0 Big Ten) took down Michigan (9-3, 0-1 Big Ten) 3-1 on Friday night in the Big Ten opener at the Crisler Center.

Kennedy Martin was Penn State’s biggest offensive threat, finishing with 18 kills on 47 attacks. Cymarah Gordon led Michigan with 16 kills on 41 attacks.

How It Happened

The Nittany Lions came alive early. Starting off the first set strong, Penn State’s Gabrielle Nichols recorded multiple kills. Kennedy Martin added several vital kills of her own off Alexis Stucky’s sets.

Michigan answered quickly with a consistent offensive threat from Cymarah Gordon, who recorded multiple kills.

Penn State created the first real separation during the middle stretch of the first set that included kills from Martin and Nichols, helping Penn State build a 13-10 lead.

Michigan fought back behind Ella Demetrician. Demetrician notched a kill to cut into Penn State’s advantage, and Michigan continued to pressure the Nittany Lions with strong attacking.

The service line became a factor. Both teams committed service errors during the opening stretch, preventing either side from taking complete control.

Lexi Gin entered and immediately made an impact a service ace, followed by a Penn State block by Stucky and a Michigan attack error that put the Nittany Lions ahead 17-16.

At the end of the first set, Michigan scored three straight points to move ahead. It caused the Nittany Lions to call a timeout, but Michigan maintained its advantage.

Penn State fought back with immense effort, but it wasn’t enough finish the first set on a win. Demetrician delivered the final kill for Michigan, securing the set to the Wolverines 25-23.

The second set started aggressively for Michigan. Meredith Martin set her ground on the floor with many crucial digs in order to keep a 3-1 lead.

Penn State didn’t let that lead bother it. The Nittany Lions come back with six consecutive kills giving them a 7-4 lead, causing Michigan to issue a timeout.

Penn State got hot with a 15-10 led, with the Nittany Lions’ Whitney Lauenstien and Martin establish their territory with a kill each, both assisted by Stucky.

The Nittany Lions made it known in the second set that they were hungry, Martin continued producing kills for Penn State, pushing it to 20-12 lead.

Penn State reached a 23-16 lead, putting itself two points away from the set. Gin entered late in the set and served when Penn State reached match point.

Michigan committed an attack error, giving Penn State match point at 24-16. Michigan stayed alive with a Sydney Schnichels kill, making it 24-7.

Stucky finished the set for Penn State with a kill, assisted by Ava Falduto.

Penn State really set the tone to open the third set. A 6-2 lead was built early for the Nittany Lions. Martin was a major force, recording multiple kills during Penn State’s opening run.

Michigan tried to fight back, but it wasn’t enough with Penn State’s Ryla Jones and Stucky connecting a key kill that extended the lead to 10-5.

A huge run went on for Penn State from 14-10 to 20-10. Falduto’s serving for the Nittany Lions’ was crucial during this run as Michigan committed multiple error attacks.

A kill from Martin closed out the third set, giving Penn State a 25-13 set victory.

With a 2-1 lead into the fourth set, Penn State took control and went on a major run midway through, building the lead 12-8 to 16-8.

Penn State led 17-10 after the Wolverines committed an attack error, giving the Nittany Lions a comfortable seven-point advantage. Michigan tried to respond, but Penn State continued to control the momentum.

Johnson cut into the lead with a kill to make it 18-11. Penn State answered with a kill from Martin, making it 19-11, but that didn’t stop Penn State to quickly respond. Schnichels had a kill for Michigan to make it 19-12, but Penn State continued to build its lead.

Stucky recorded a kill to extend Penn State’s advantage to 20-12. Lauenstein then added another kill, putting Penn State ahead 21-12. Martin followed with another kill, making it 22-12 and forcing Michigan to call timeout.

After the timeout, Johnson answered with a kill for Michigan, but Penn State remained firmly in control at 23-13. Stucky delivered another kill to make it 24-13, giving Penn State set point.

On the final rally, Nichols and Martin combined for a block against Gordon, ending the set 25-13, securing the win for the Nittany Lions.

Takeaway

• Kennedy Martin was Penn State’s biggest offensive threat, finishing with 18 kills on 47 attacks.
• Gabrielle Nichols had six kills and contributed six total points, including two block assists.
• Emmi Sellman had a strong performance with eight kills on 20 attacks.
• Whitney Lauenstein also stood out with eight kills.
• Ryla Jones was very efficient, recording five kills on 11 attacks.
• Alexis Stucky contributed four kills, 39 assists, one ace, and seven digs, showing her impact in multiple areas.

What’s Next?

Penn State get right back on the floor at the Breslin Center to face Michigan State at 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 27. Folks can watch from home on Big Ten Plus.