Louisville, Kentucky — In an exciting showdown, the Penn State women’s volleyball team achieved a remarkable victory in the national semifinals on Thursday, setting the stage for a historic Sunday final. For the first time in NCAA volleyball history, a woman will be crowned as national champion, as both teams in the championship are coached by women.
Katie Schumacher-Cawley leads Penn State, while Dani Busboom Kelly is at the helm for Louisville. Both coaches are former NCAA champions themselves, with Schumacher-Cawley winning with Penn State in 1999 and Busboom Kelly claiming a title with Nebraska in 2006.
“I think we’ve heard that quite a bit: The first time a woman this or that,” Schumacher-Cawley stated. “But I’m excited for this team. I think Dani’s an exceptional coach, and I’m excited we both get to compete at this level.”
This season has been particularly emotional for Schumacher-Cawley, who has been coaching despite being diagnosed with breast cancer in September. Her dedication has inspired the Nittany Lions as they chase their eighth national title, while Louisville aims for its first championship.
During Thursday’s matchups, both teams faced significant challenges. Penn State made a stunning comeback against Nebraska after losing the first two sets, marking only the sixth time in NCAA history that a team achieved a reverse sweep in a semifinal. The Nittany Lions, who finished with a tight 15-13 victory in the fifth set, were led by Jess Mruzik, who delivered an outstanding performance with 26 kills.
Meanwhile, Louisville played valiantly in their semifinal match against Pitt, winning 3-1. The Cardinals battled through multiple obstacles, including losing key player Anna DeBeer to an ankle injury during the match. Freshman Payton Petersen stepped up, contributing significantly to Louisville’s victory.
Looking ahead, the championship match on Sunday promises to be a historic event, showcasing talent and determination from both teams. ESPN will be broadcasting the game at 3 p.m. ET, and fans everywhere are eager to tune in. Whether it’s Penn State seeking its legacy or Louisville aiming for a breakthrough, one thing is certain: Sunday will be a remarkable day for women in sports.
