LOUISVILLE, Kentucky – In an exciting matchup at the KFC Yum! Arena, the Penn State Nittany Lions claimed the title of 2024 NCAA Div. I women’s volleyball national champions by defeating the Louisville Cardinals in four sets. The final score was 25-23, 32-34, 25-20, 25-17. This victory marked a significant moment for Penn State, as this is their eighth national championship, the second most in NCAA volleyball history, and their first title in over a decade.
One of the standout moments of the final match came when Camryn Hannah secured the championship with a powerful kill down the middle of the court. The game attracted a record-setting crowd, with 21,860 spectators in attendance, highlighting the growing popularity of women’s volleyball.
The Nittany Lions experienced a dramatic second set where they had ten chances to claim it but came up short, allowing Louisville to steal the set with a score of 34-32. Payton Peterson, who stepped up in place of an injured teammate, played a crucial role for the Cardinals during this set.
Penn State rebounded strongly in the following sets, demonstrating their resilience by taking Set 3 and Set 4 convincingly. The Nittany Lions showcased an impressive performance overall, hitting .277 for the match compared to Louisville’s .196.
Jess Mruzik was a standout player for Penn State, achieving 29 kills, 14 digs, and five blocks, earning herself the title of NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player. After the match, head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley made history by becoming the first female head coach to win a Division I volleyball championship in NCAA history. In a heartfelt moment, she expressed her gratitude to those who paved the way for her in the sport and expressed her hope for more female coaches in the future.
This victory also holds a deeper emotional significance as Schumacher-Cawley has been battling Stage 2 breast cancer, an announcement she made public in October. The Nittany Lions concluded the season on an impressive 12-game winning streak, finishing the year with a record of 35-2.
