Nov. 12, 2009

Complete Release in pdf Format

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The top-ranked Penn State women's volleyball team welcomes both No. 5 Illinois and Northwestern to Rec Hall for matches this weekend. The Nittany Lions face the Illini at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, followed by the Wildcats on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m.

With a 3-0 victory against Iowa on Nov. 7, the Nittany Lions reached their 90th consecutive win to take sole possession of third place in the NCAA record books for Division I winning streaks. Two wins this weekend would allow Penn State to tie with the North Carolina women's soccer team (1990-94) for second place with 92 straight matches.

Fans can follow the Nittany Lions online this weekend courtesy of live stats and live audio provided by Penn State All Access at GoPSUsports.com. Tickets are available in advance at 1-800-NITTANY or at the door. Adult tickets are $8 and youth tickets are $5.

Penn State Preview
The top-ranked Nittany Lions improved to 26-0 overall and 14-0 in conference play after sweeping both Wisconsin and Iowa on Nov. 6-7. Penn State remains in sole possession of first place in the Big Ten standings.

Penn State attacked at a combined .307 in its matches against the Badgers and the Hawkeyes. The Nittany Lions averaged 13.83 kills per set, 13.33 assists per set, 1.33 aces per set, 14.83 digs per set and 3.67 blocks per set. Senior Megan Hodge led Penn State averaging 4.17 kps, while senior Alisha Glass paced the offense with a 11.17 aps average. Junior libero Alyssa D'Errico led the team in the back row with 4.50 digs per set and junior Arielle Wilson was a force at the net with 2.17 bps.

The Nittany Lions extended their NCAA-record winning streak to 90 consecutive matches and their Big Ten winning streak to 59 straight matches. Penn State sits atop the all-time Big Ten consecutive wins list and owns the top three spots. Penn State's home match winning streak currently sits at 68 heading into this weekend.

Scouting the Illini
The Illini are currently in the midst of an 11-match winning streak that dates back to a 3-2 victory at Michigan on Oct. 3. Illinois sits at second in the Big Ten standings with its only two conference losses coming to Penn State (3-0) on Sept. 26 and Michigan State (3-2) on Oct. 2.

Penn State vs. Illinois
Penn State owns a 35-6 record against the Illini after sweeping them earlier this season on Sept. 26. The Nittany Lions have not lost a match to the Illini since Oct. 10, 2003 when Illinois secured a 3-1 (27-30, 30-19, 30-20, 30-26) victory in Champaign.

Scouting the Wildcats
Despite being 5-9 in Big Ten play, Northwestern has won four of its last five matches with their only loss coming at the hands of Michigan on Nov. 7. Most recently, the Wildcats have defeated Purdue (3-2), Indiana (3-2) and Michigan State (3-1).

Penn State vs. Northwestern
The Nittany Lions are 36-8 all-time against Northwestern, including a 3-0 sweep of the Wildcats earlier this season. Penn State hasn't suffered a loss to Northwestern since a 3-1 loss on Nov. 23, 2002 and has not dropped a set against the Wildcats since a second set loss on Oct. 2, 2003.

What's Next?
The Nittany Lions head off on their final road trip of the regular season on Nov. 20-21at Purdue and Indiana. Both matches are set for 7 p.m. start times.

For more information on the Penn State women's volleyball team, please visit www.GoPSUsports.com. The Penn State women's volleyball 2009 season is presented by Rockvale Outlets and The Outlets At Hershey.