LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Katie Schumacher-Cawley celebrated a historic achievement, surrounded by jubilant players and fans, as she lifted the championship trophy, marking her distinctive place among volleyball coaches. Aside from one minor lapse in focus, the Nittany Lions ensured that this moment would belong to her.
In a remarkable performance, Jess Mruzik contributed 29 kills with a hitting percentage of .315, guiding Schumacher-Cawley to become the first female coach to capture an NCAA volleyball championship. The Nittany Lions triumphed over Louisville with a match score of 3-1 in the final held on Sunday. With this victory, Penn State (35-2) clinched their record-eighth national championship, their first since 2014, under the leadership of their third-year coach. Notably, Schumacher-Cawley has led the team while battling breast cancer, diagnosed in September, yet she has successfully conducted practices in between treatments, inspiring both her players and the wider community.
Penn State displayed aggressive gameplay that forced Louisville (30-6) on the defensive, winning sets with scores of 25-23, 32-34, 25-20, and 25-17. The Nittany Lions’ ability to bounce back in the critical third set was essential after losing an intense second set 34-32, where the Cardinals rallied from multiple deficits and fended off 10 set points from Penn State.
The Cardinals seemed revitalized following their second-set victory, while the Nittany Lions had to regroup after the setback, a challenge they previously faced on Thursday when they overcame a 0-2 deficit against Nebraska to reach the finals. “We’ve been in this position before, losing the second set, so we knew what to do,” said Penn State outside hitter Camryn Hannah. “We all agreed to move past it. The next set was like starting fresh.”
From the sidelines, Schumacher-Cawley watched as her players executed essential kills, digs, and blocks, particularly in the final two sets. When the match concluded, players celebrated by forming a pile on the court while their coaches exchanged congratulations amidst a shower of confetti resembling snowflakes, with others playfully making angel shapes in it.
Schumacher-Cawley received widespread acclaim for her leadership. “I’m incredibly lucky to be surrounded by such amazing individuals, both on this team and my coaching staff,” she remarked, drawing inspiration from a nearby children’s hospital during her treatment. “If I can serve as an inspiration to someone, that means a lot, but ultimately, I feel fortunate to have such supportive people around me. I think that’s a huge factor in our success.”
A record crowd of 21,860 attendees, primarily adorned in Cardinals red, cheered on the teams. Hannah added 19 kills with two blocks, while Caroline Jurevicius contributed 10 kills for the Nittany Lions, who extended their impressive streak to eight consecutive title-game appearances. However, it was Mruzik’s consistent performance that set the tone, as she ensured others could excel as well. “At first, I struggled to find my rhythm,” Mruzik explained, having recorded 55 kills over the weekend and earning the title of most outstanding player. “But my teammates provided fantastic support and information that helped me regain my focus.”
“What really clicked for me was the encouragement from my teammates, who kept telling me, ‘I have your back, play free,’ which allowed me to perform without hesitation.” For Louisville, Charitie Luper and Sofia Maldonado Diaz were standout players, racking up 21 and 20 kills respectively. However, the team was without All-American hitter Anna DeBeer, who suffered a right ankle injury in the semifinal against Pittsburgh and was unable to warm up for the final.
The championship match was especially historic, as it featured Schumacher-Cawley facing off against Louisville’s Dani Busboom Kelly, ensuring that a female coach would win a national title after 42 titles had been claimed by male coaches. This was Busboom Kelly’s second finals appearance in three seasons with the Cardinals.
“Congratulations to Penn State; they played exceptionally well today and we couldn’t find a way to respond,” remarked Busboom Kelly, extending her appreciation to Schumacher-Cawley as well. “We just couldn’t bridge the gap.” Both coaches have previously won titles as players, with Schumacher-Cawley part of Penn State’s first championship in 1999 and Busboom Kelly contributing to Nebraska’s 2006 title win.