Louisville Volleyball falls to Penn State in NCAA Championship

December 22, 2024

Penn State won the NCAA volleyball championship by defeating Louisville 3-1, with set scores of 25-23, 32-34, 25-20, and 25-17. This historic win marked Penn State’s eighth national championship and made Katie Schumacher-Cawley the first female head coach to win an NCAA Division I volleyball title. The match was a thrilling back-and-forth affair, with Louisville’s Charitie Luper and Sofi Maldonado Diaz combining for 41 kills. However, Penn State’s Jess Mruzik stole the show with 29 kills and 14 digs, earning her the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player award. The Nittany Lions’ victory was witnessed by a record-breaking crowd of over 21,000 fans at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville. This championship win cements Penn State’s status as a volleyball powerhouse, and Schumacher-Cawley’s achievement is a groundbreaking moment for women’s sports.

Photo Gallery: Xavier Burrell