Penn State cemented its status as a volleyball powerhouse by defeating Louisville 3-1 (25-23, 32-34, 25-20, 25-17) to capture the program’s eighth national championship. This victory also made history: In a championship match featuring two female head coaches for the first time, Katie Schumacher-Cawley became the first woman to claim the NCAA Division I volleyball title from the sidelines.

The Nittany Lions were led by All-American outside hitter Jess Mruzik, who racked up 29 kills. After splitting the first two sets, the Nittany Lions found another gear in the third. Louisville’s Charitie Luper and Sofi Maldonado Diaz combined for 41 kills, but the Cardinals couldn’t recover from an early deficit in the fourth frame.

A national-record crowd of more than 21,000 fans at the KFC Yum! Center witnessed Penn State’s balanced performance. Setter Izzy Starck dished out 55 assists, while the Nittany Lions’ defense limited Louisville to a .196 hitting percentage. With this triumph, Penn State adds another trophy to its collection and delivers a groundbreaking moment for women’s sports, as Schumacher-Cawley inscribes her name into NCAA volleyball history.

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