Penn State Wins First NCAA Title in 10 Years; Coach Schumacher-Cawley Makes History Amid Cancer Battle

Dec 22, 2024, 09:24 PM

Penn State women's volleyball team clinched its eighth national championship, defeating Louisville in four sets at the NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Tournament final on Sunday at the KFC Yum! Center. The Nittany Lions secured their first title in 10 years under head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley, who made history as the first female head coach to win the championship while battling breast cancer diagnosed in October. Despite her diagnosis, Schumacher-Cawley hasn't missed a practice all year. Penn State advanced to the final after completing a rare reverse sweep against Nebraska in the semifinals. The championship match was marked by a thrilling second set, where Louisville fought off ten set points to win 34-32. Louisville played without second-team All-American Anna DeBeer, impacting their offensive balance. Despite the Cardinals' resilience, Penn State prevailed with standout performances, including Jess Mruzik's 29 kills. The victory symbolizes a landmark moment in women's sports, emphasizing the growing prominence and recognition of female coaches at the highest levels.