Penn State beat Louisville to win NCAA volleyball crown

Field Level Media|published: Sun 22nd December, 20:37 2024

Penn State celebrated with the trophy after they defeated Louisville 3 sets to 1 to win the NCAA Championship Volleyball match at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky. on Dec. 22, 2024.

Most Outstanding Player Jess Mruzik recorded 29 kills to help Penn State beat host Louisville in four sets to win the NCAA women's volleyball national title on Sunday.

The 25-23, 32-34, 25-20, 25-17 victory allowed Penn State finish off a 35-2 season while winning its eighth national crown, one behind all-time leader Stanford. Katie Schumacher-Cawley became the first woman coach to win a Division I title just three months after revealing she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

"I'm so fortunate to be surrounded by so many great people. I'm inspired by the young kids who are sick," the 44-year-old Schumacher-Cawley said afterward. "If I can be an inspiration to someone, then I take that. But I feel good, and I'm lucky to have people around me."

A postseason volleyball record of 21,860 fans attended the championship match in Louisville.

The Cardinals (30-6) played without All-American Anna DeBeer, who injured an ankle in the Final Four win over Pitt. Charitie Luper had 21 kills for Louisville in the title match.

--Field Level Media

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