University Park, Pa., April 26, 2006 ¨C Long-time Penn State women¡¯s volleyball assistant coach Mike Schall has announced that he will be stepping down from his position with the team. Schall, a member of head coach Russ Rose¡¯s staff for 15 years, will be leaving to pursue career opportunities within the family business.

¡°The decision to leave Penn State and my position as an assistant coach was a very difficult one to make in so many ways,¡± said Schall. ¡°Penn State is a school I have always loved and one that I will continue to love, and the women¡¯s volleyball program has meant so much to me. Coach is a great leader and has created a unique environment that values loyalty, commitment and hard work. He has treated my family and I so well over the years, and I have great respect for not only what he has been able to accomplish at Penn State, but also the manner in which he has done it. I have special memories of all of the players that have come through this program, not only the All-Americans, but every player who has worked to get better to be able to contribute in some way to the good of the team.

¡°At the same time, the coaching profession makes it very difficult to manage a family life along with a professional life,¡± Schall continued. ¡°As much as I love coaching, recruiting and working with the entire staff, I have missed my own family terribly. My wife Sarah and I are very happy that we have another opportunity that will allow us to spend more time together with our kids, especially as they grow older.¡±

During Schall¡¯s tenure, Penn State has an overall record of 447-67 (.870) and has claimed nine Big Ten titles. The Nittany Lions have also produced the last four Big Ten Freshmen of the Year. Schall was a member of the Penn State men¡¯s volleyball team that captured three Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) titles and advanced to three national semifinals. A co-captain for two seasons, Schall played in every match of his four-year career as a defensive specialist.

Schall, his wife Sarah and their two children, Annabelle (4) and Samuel (2), will be relocating to Chambersburg, Pa., where Schall will work as a representative for Tee Time Golf Pass, Inc., which is owned by Sarah¡¯s father.

¡°It is with great sadness that I accepted Mike¡¯s resignation,¡± said head coach Russ Rose. ¡°He has been a terrific member of the coaching fraternity and a valued member of our staff, as well as being a great ambassador for the game of volleyball. He sincerely cared about the game and the people involved with it. His departure leaves a big void for me personally and the entire team, and it¡¯s certainly going to take a great deal of work for someone to fill his shoes. I know I speak for the entire Penn State family in wishing him and his family the best in their future plans.¡±

Penn State returns all but three players from last season¡¯s 31-3 Big Ten Champion squad that posted an unblemished 20-0 record in conference action. The Nittany Lions will be looking to replace three-time All-America setter Sam Tortorello, 2006 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year libero Kaleena Walters and middle and right side hitter Kim Holm. However, Penn State returns 2006 AVCA National Freshman of the Year and Second Team All-America outside hitter Nicole Fawcett, AVCA Second Team All-America middle hitter Melissa Walbridge, First Team All-Big Ten middle hitter Christa Harmotto, 2003 Big Ten Freshman of the Year Cassy Salyer and 2004 Big Ten Freshman of the Year Kate Price. In addition, the Penn State adds Gatorade National Player of the Year Megan Hodge and Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year Blair Brown, Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year Alisha Glass and Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year Jessica Yanz, all of whom will be eligible to suit up for the Nittany Lions next season.

For more information on the Penn State women¡¯s volleyball team, please visit www.GoPSUsports.com.