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Everyone loves an inspiring story during the holidays. And, on Sunday, the Penn State Nittany Lions Women’s Volleyball Team provided us with one.
While it’s been a while, the Nittany Lion volleyball program winning a national title isn’t necessary anything inspirational, as it was the eighth in program history. Instead, it’s the courage shown by their head coach, Katie Schumacher-Cawley, that will feel like chicken soup for your soul.
Penn State was a dynasty in the late 2000s, winning four straight national titles from 2007-2010, including an incredible 109 match win streak. Coupled with titles in 1999, 2013, and 2014, the program had seven titles heading into this season, two behind Stanford.
But, this year’s season looked to be over on Thursday night in the National Semifinals. Penn State trailed Nebraska, probably the most talented team in the country, two sets to none. But, for the first time in Nebraska legendary head coach John Cook’s career, the Cornhuskers lost after being up 2-0. Penn State trailed 22-16 in the 4th set, and one model gave them a 0.3% chance of winning the match at that point.
On Sunday, Penn State dispatched Louisville, 3-1, despite blowing ten points in the second set in front of the Louisville crowd, hosts of this year’s Final Four.
Oh yeah, they did all that while their head coach, Katie Schumacher-Cawley, is battling stage 2 breast cancer.
Congrats to Penn State on the women’s volleyball national title, beating Louisville in four sets. Coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley makes history as the first woman head coach to win it, and does so while battling breast cancer.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) December 22, 2024
Schumacher-Cawley announced her diagnosis during the season, and has been undergoing treatment during the season, with more to come afterwards. But, the 2000 national champion as a player at Penn State under the legendary Russ Rose has continued coaching all year, and her battle inspired Penn State to another national title.
It’s Penn State’s 56th NCAA championship in all sports. That’s the most of any school east of the Mississippi, and one behind Texas for the fourth-most. Penn State’s wrestling team are heavy favorites to tie or beat that record in March, depending on if the Nittany Lion football team can capture a title.
Penn State finishes the season 35-2, co-champions of the Big Ten with Nebraska, and as national champions.