2024 was a historic year for Penn State volleyball. A year similar to many accomplished this century by the program .
Penn State beat Louisville on its home court to win its eighth national championship.
Outside hitter Jess Mruzik earned Most Outstanding Player honors with 29 kills, five blocks, and one ace.
Libero Gillian Grimes totaled a team-best 16 digs, and outside/right side hitter Caroline Jurevicius hit 10 kills and earned two blocks. AVCA Freshman of the Year. Setter Izzy Starck registered her 18th double-double with 55 assists and 13 total digs.
Earlier this month, Penn State AD Pat Kraft presented the volley ball team with its national champion rings.
The rings were made into an “8” shape to celebrate Penn State’s 8th National Championship.
It was Penn State’s first title in 10 years and seventh in the last 17 years. Penn State won six of eight championships from the 2007-2014 seasons.
The title marked Katie Schumacher-Cawley’s first national championship as head coach and she guided Penn State while battling breast cancer after being diagnosed in Sept. 2024.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Schumacher-Cawley rang the bell Feb. 10 after six rounds of chemo and was declared officially cancer free.
“Well, we did it! Six rounds of chemo — done! Today, I rang the bell, marking the end of this chapter,” Schumacher-Cawley said on Instagram. “What a journey it has been. There are truly no words to express how deeply grateful I am for the unwavering support from every corner of my life.”
Volleyball set the tone for a historic sports season at Penn State. Volleyball and wrestling both won national championships, football made the College Football Playoff semifinals, men’s hockey reached the Frozen Four, women’s hockey won the CHA, men’s lacrosse earned a spot in the Final Four and various other sports helped lead PSU and Kraft to a memorable and unforgettable 2024-25 athletic season in the Valley.
Volleyball National Championships:
- 1999
- 2007
- 2008
- 2009
- 2010
- 2013
- 2014
- 2024
Penn State defends its title starting on August 23 against Creighton. Penn State hosts Pitt on September 17 and begins Big Ten play on September 26 and 28, hosting USC and UCLA at Rec.
