By Laura Finley, GoPSUsports.com
Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Offense proved vital for the No. 9 Penn State women's volleyball team on Saturday night as it defeated No. 21 Michigan, 3-0.
"It's a nice win," said head coach Russ Rose. "It's always important to try and
limit your errors, but you have to get quality swings. [Deja and Ariel] did a
nice job with what they had to do at the net."
Behind the hitting power of sophomores Ariel Scott, Deja McClendon and Katie Slay, the Nittany Lions were able to overcome late set surges by the Wolverines in order to capture another win at home. The Nittany Lions would finish the night with a .330 hitting percentage as Scott led the team in kills.
"I think it's all about the middle [hitters] having a good night," said McClendon. "We have to pass because our middles are starting to become a bigger threat when they're up."
Passing is what freshman setter Micha Hancock did throughout the night as she worked to distribute the ball to her outside and middle hitters. This successfully allowed the offense to spread its attacks and spoil the Wolverine defense.
McClendon noted that communication with Hancock has improved as the freshman has settled into her position.
"It's getting better," said McClendon. "We're trying to work on communication and not just in practice but every time we're talking to [Micha]. Every set we're telling her whether that was good or bad, too low or not fast enough. I think she's doing well."
The two teams stayed within a few points of each other during the first set, battling back-and-forth for the lead until late. A kill by Scott tied the game and two additional Michigan errors gave Penn State the lead 24-22. A final service ace by Ali Longo closed the game 25-22.
In the second set Penn State jumped to an early lead and never looked back. Michigan rallied to within a point of the Nittany Lions, 7-8, but a strong Penn State offense held off the Wolverines as they increased their lead 15-8. A final service ace by McClendon gave Penn State the win 25-20.
Michigan was not content trailing Penn State in the previous two sets as the Wolverines immediately grabbed the lead in the third set. A block by Maddie Martin and Nia Grant gave Penn State the lead 5-4, but Michigan quickly recovered, jumping back out front 6-5. The Nittany Lions battled throughout the rest of the set, closing in on Michigan at the last minute. Two kills by Slay and Scott gave Penn State the victory 25-23.
"It was good that we were up 2-0, especially at home," said Ariel Scott. "That's what we needed to do against a good team. The third game we tried to limit our errors. At the beginning we gave them a few points, but we were able to come back so that was good."
As always, head coach Russ Rose gave credit to the home crowd and band for their constant support even as his team trailed Michigan at times.
"I thought it was a great crowd for going opposite Penn State football," said coach Rose. "As always, the band did a terrific job. They are a big part of the environment for our matches. I'm really appreciative for all the people that came out."
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Offense proved vital for the No. 9 Penn State women's volleyball team on Saturday night as it defeated No. 21 Michigan, 3-0.
"It's a nice win," said head coach Russ Rose. "It's always important to try and
limit your errors, but you have to get quality swings. [Deja and Ariel] did a
nice job with what they had to do at the net."Behind the hitting power of sophomores Ariel Scott, Deja McClendon and Katie Slay, the Nittany Lions were able to overcome late set surges by the Wolverines in order to capture another win at home. The Nittany Lions would finish the night with a .330 hitting percentage as Scott led the team in kills.
"I think it's all about the middle [hitters] having a good night," said McClendon. "We have to pass because our middles are starting to become a bigger threat when they're up."
Passing is what freshman setter Micha Hancock did throughout the night as she worked to distribute the ball to her outside and middle hitters. This successfully allowed the offense to spread its attacks and spoil the Wolverine defense.
McClendon noted that communication with Hancock has improved as the freshman has settled into her position.
"It's getting better," said McClendon. "We're trying to work on communication and not just in practice but every time we're talking to [Micha]. Every set we're telling her whether that was good or bad, too low or not fast enough. I think she's doing well."
The two teams stayed within a few points of each other during the first set, battling back-and-forth for the lead until late. A kill by Scott tied the game and two additional Michigan errors gave Penn State the lead 24-22. A final service ace by Ali Longo closed the game 25-22.
In the second set Penn State jumped to an early lead and never looked back. Michigan rallied to within a point of the Nittany Lions, 7-8, but a strong Penn State offense held off the Wolverines as they increased their lead 15-8. A final service ace by McClendon gave Penn State the win 25-20.
Michigan was not content trailing Penn State in the previous two sets as the Wolverines immediately grabbed the lead in the third set. A block by Maddie Martin and Nia Grant gave Penn State the lead 5-4, but Michigan quickly recovered, jumping back out front 6-5. The Nittany Lions battled throughout the rest of the set, closing in on Michigan at the last minute. Two kills by Slay and Scott gave Penn State the victory 25-23.
"It was good that we were up 2-0, especially at home," said Ariel Scott. "That's what we needed to do against a good team. The third game we tried to limit our errors. At the beginning we gave them a few points, but we were able to come back so that was good."
As always, head coach Russ Rose gave credit to the home crowd and band for their constant support even as his team trailed Michigan at times.
"I thought it was a great crowd for going opposite Penn State football," said coach Rose. "As always, the band did a terrific job. They are a big part of the environment for our matches. I'm really appreciative for all the people that came out."
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