Defending champion Penn State volleyball unbothered by No. 2 ranking behind rival Nebraska
"I was so happy that my entire family was there, the five (graduating) seniors and the coaching staff to just rehash stories of the Final Four and just the season," Schumacher-Cawley recalled to USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday, referring to graduates Jess Mruzik, Taylor Trammell, Camryn Hannah, Anjelina Starck and Quinn Menger. "When the season ended in December, all the seniors were done and kind of went their own way. So for us to get back together and to enjoy some time, it was so special and it was something that I'll never forget."
The 2024 season had a storybook ending. Penn State went 29-2 in the regular season, clinched a share of the Big Ten title for the first time since 2017 and defeated rival Nebraska twice in the same season for the first time in program history, all while navigating Schumacher-Cawley's breast cancer diagnosis.
It's now officially time to turn the page on their championship as Penn State prepares to open the 2025 season and start their title defense against Creighton on Saturday.
"We're done talking about last year's team," Schumacher-Cawley said. "Every semester is a new team and a new season. We'll take the lessons we've learned and move forward with this group and let them find their identity."
Penn State will look a little different this year after losing five seniors, including Mruzik, the 2024 Most Outstanding Player of the 2024 NCAA tournament, who you simply "can't replace," Schumacher-Cawley said. That may explain why the defending champion Nittany Lions are ranked No. 2 in the preseason AVCA Coaches Poll behind Big Ten foe Nebraska.
But if you ask Penn State, they "don't necessarily care."
"The rankings are for the fans and it gives everyone something to talk about," Schumacher-Cawley said. "We don't really talk about the awards and we don't talk about the preseason rankings. "With our players we just stress getting better every day in the gym. ... Every week is a different challenge and it's just how you attack it."
New leaders emerge after seniors graduate
Schumacher-Cawley said the team will rely on returning players like senior libero Gillian Grimes and senior middle blocker Jordan Hopp to take on leadership in the locker room.
"I try to empower every single player to be a leader in their own way, in their own voice," Schumacher-Cawley said. "It's the players that were on the team last year that got a taste of what it took to win a Big Ten (title), be at a Final Four and win a championship.
"They've taken the responsibility to help the new players and the younger ones on how we do things here and what's helped us be successful."
Grimes is one of three Nittany Lions named to the preseason All-Big Ten Team, in addition to sophomore setter Izzy Starck, the AVCA National Freshman of the Year last season, and junior outside hitter Kennedy Martin.
"I couldn't be on that list without my teammates and without my coaches, so I'm really happy for that," Grimes said at the Big Ten media day last month, highlighting a team-first philosophy that pulses through Penn State.
Schumacher-Cawley didn't even wear her championship ring at media day after becoming the first female women's volleyball coach to win an NCAA championship. "It's for (the players) to show and wear. I'll keep mine in the nice box at home and let it sit there."
The ring features two pink diamonds in honor of Schumacher-Cawley's battle with breast cancer. She announced she was cancer-free in February.
Penn State reloads through transfer portal
Penn State landed All-American Kennedy Martin in the transfer portal, who Schumacher-Cawley said "just fits in" with the team's culture. Martin led the nation in points per set (6.28) and was second in kills per set (5.57) last season during her sophomore campaign at Florida.
"(Kennedy) brings a high level of play, but she is so fun to be around and she is such a great teammate," Schumacher-Cawley said. "I'm excited to see her wear the blue and white and see her compete this weekend for us. And I think she just brings a level of confidence to the group and she's going to help everyone be better."
The Nittany Lions also added Saint Louis setter Addie Lyon and Ohio State outside hitter Emmi Sellman, who Schumacher-Cawley said "almost single handedly beat us last year when she was at Ohio State."
'There's always been pressure for us'
Penn State women's volleyball is used to having a bullseye on their back. The Nittany Lions have won eight national championships, the second-most of any school behind Stanford (9), including a historic four-peat from 2007 to 2010.
"There's always just been pressure for us," Starck said. "Coming into this season, it's just the same mindset we always have of how we work hard with each other and how we push each other. I definitely think winning the national championship last year helps us, because we know what it takes and we know how to help the new players."
The Nittany Lions have a tough schedule and will have to go through Nebraska twice (Oct. 3 and Nov. 28) during the regular season, in addition to facing at least 15 other teams that made it to the 2024 NCAA Tournament. The spotlight will be even brighter as Penn State will have 16 nationally televised matchups across FOX, BTN, and FS1, up from 12 nationally broadcast regular-season games last year.
"You have to play great competition to prepare for the Big 10 Conference," Schumacher-Cawley said. "Being in these opening tournaments will set the tone and show us what we need to do and how we need to be better... the end goal is to be great in November and December."
Penn State opens the season against Creighton on Saturday at the AVCA First Serve Showcase at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska. The matchup will be broadcast on FS1 Network at 5 p.m. ET.
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