LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Katie Schumacher-Cawley celebrated a significant achievement, beaming as she embraced her confetti-drenched players and supporters before lifting the championship trophy, which distinguishes her from other coaches in volleyball history.
Besides a brief moment of distraction, the Nittany Lions ensured that her special moment would not be in vain.
Jess Mruzik delivered an impressive performance, striking 29 kills with an outstanding hitting percentage of .315, propelling Schumacher-Cawley to become the first female coach to claim an NCAA volleyball championship. Her Penn State team triumphed over Louisville with a score of 3-1 in the championship match on Sunday.
The Nittany Lions, boasting a season record of 35-2, secured their remarkable eighth national championship, the first since 2014, under the leadership of this coach who is in her third year. Throughout the season, Schumacher-Cawley continued to guide the team while undergoing treatment for breast cancer, which was diagnosed in September. Despite her challenges, she managed to conduct practices between treatment sessions, creating an inspirational journey that rallied her players and drew extensive support from the community.
Penn State’s powerful play ensured they maintained the pressure on Louisville, finishing the match with set scores of 25-23, 32-34, 25-20, and 25-17. Particularly crucial was their bounce-back in the third set after conceding a fiercely contested second set to the Cardinals, who clawed back from several deficits to win it 34-32, defeating nine set points from the Nittany Lions.
The Cardinals seemed revitalized, while Penn State had to regroup after the setback, which mirrored a similar comeback when they overcame Nebraska after trailing 0-2 to reach the finals.
“We’ve lost the second set several times, so it’s nothing new for us,” commented Penn State outside hitter Camryn Hannah. “We all discussed moving forward since the next set would be a fresh start.”
From the sidelines, Schumacher-Cawley closely watched her players execute critical kills, digs, and blocks, especially in the final two sets. Once victory was confirmed, the players formed a joyous pile on the court as their coaches congratulated one another amidst a celebratory shower of confetti, some rolling about like joyful children.
Schumacher-Cawley expressed immense gratitude for the support she received. “I’m immensely fortunate to be surrounded by such incredible individuals, from this team to the coaching staff,” she remarked, reflecting on the inspiration derived from seeing a nearby children’s hospital during her treatments.
“I’m just really lucky to have such supportive people around me who go the extra mile. If my journey inspires anyone, I cherish that. Ultimately, I feel fortunate to feel good and supported, which I believe played a huge role in our success.”
The atmosphere was electric, with a record NCAA indoor crowd of 21,860 fans, predominantly dressed in Cardinals red, cheering on their team.
Hannah contributed to the team’s efforts with 19 kills and two blocks, while Caroline Jurevicius added 10 kills for the Nittany Lions, who secured victory in their eighth straight title-game appearance. However, it was Mruzik who set the tone for success, continually positioning herself where she was most needed.
“I faced some challenges at the start,” Mruzik admitted, having accumulated 55 kills throughout the weekend and earning the title of most outstanding player. “However, my teammates provided me with invaluable support, giving me insights from the bench.”
“What clicked for me was my teammates encouraging me, signaling that they had my back. That reassurance allowed me to play freely.”
For Louisville, Charitie Luper shone with 21 kills, and Sofia Maldonado Diaz added 20; however, they played without All-American hitter Anna DeBeer, who was sidelined due to a right ankle injury sustained during Thursday’s semifinal against Pittsburgh, which kept her from participating in pre-game warmups.
The championship game had historical significance as Schumacher-Cawley coached against fellow female coach Dani Busboom Kelly from Louisville, ensuring a woman would claim the national title after 42 championships previously awarded to male coaches. Busboom Kelly made her second finals appearance in three seasons with the Cardinals.
“Hats off to Penn State; they played exceptionally well today, and we couldn’t keep up with them,” stated Busboom Kelly, addressing Schumacher-Cawley and applauding her success. “It felt like we were always playing catch-up.”
Both coaches have enjoyed championship success as players, with Schumacher-Cawley having contributed to Penn State’s first title in 1999 and Busboom Kelly earning a championship with Nebraska in 2006.