Katie Schumacher-Cawley made history as the first female coach to win a NCAA volleyball championship as Penn State defeated Louisville 3-1 in Sunday's final. The Nittany Lions claimed their record eighth national championship and first since 2014 under the leadership of Schumacher-Cawley, who has been battling breast cancer since September. Despite undergoing treatment, Schumacher-Cawley has continued to coach the team, serving as a source of inspiration and rallying point for the players.
The championship match saw Penn State dominating with aggressive play, securing a 25-23, 32-34, 25-20, 25-17 victory over Louisville. The Nittany Lions' resilience was evident as they bounced back from a tough second set loss and maintained their composure to clinch the title. Player Jess Mruzik's stellar performance, with 29 kills and a .315 hitting percentage, was instrumental in Penn State's success.
The atmosphere was electric with an NCAA indoor record crowd of 21,860 in attendance, predominantly dressed in Cardinals red. Despite Louisville's strong performance, they were unable to contain Penn State's offensive prowess. The Nittany Lions' Camryn Hannah and Caroline Jurevicius also made significant contributions to the team's victory.
Mruzik, named the most outstanding player, highlighted the support and encouragement she received from her teammates, which allowed her to play freely and excel on the court. The absence of Louisville's All-American hitter Anna DeBeer, due to an ankle injury, posed a challenge for the Cardinals.
The historic matchup between Schumacher-Cawley and Louisville's Dani Busboom Kelly marked a milestone for female coaches in NCAA volleyball. Both coaches had previously won titles as players, adding to the significance of the championship showdown. Busboom Kelly commended Penn State's performance and congratulated Schumacher-Cawley on her historic achievement.
