Nittany Digs: 'The Streak 2.0 starts today'

Penn State's all-sports blog had a really nice piece about the atmosphere in Rec Hall, and how one of college sports' best fan bases is lifting this team back up after its first loss in 109 matches.

Students even created a Facebook event specifically promoting what they call 'The Beginning of the Streak 2.0'. More than 2,000 students planned on attending the event and they even orchestrated a white out for Friday night's match against George Washington...

"I think a crowd definitely plays a part in the opponents head and you know it helps us the whole time to get energy if we're needing energy, which we should be making our own," said Brown. "But you know if it's not coming naturally it's great for them to be there and to kind of lift us up when we need it and for the opponent it's tough playing in a place where everybody is rooting for the other team."

Big Ten Freshman of the Week... again

McClendon helped guide the Nittany Lions to sweeps of George Washington, Princeton and St. John's in the Rockvale Outlets Classic at Rec Hall. McClendon started all three matches and was second on the team with 25 kills (3.12 kills per set) on a team-best .524 attack percentage. She also contributed one ace, 14 digs (1.75 digs per set) and seven total blocks (0.88 blocks per set). Against the Colonials, McClendon led the team with 15 kills on .636 hitting. She also had six digs and was second on the team with four blocks. On Saturday, Sept. 18 against the Tigers, McClendon once again led the team with 12 putdowns with just one error in 17 attempts. She closed out the weekend with eight kills, four digs and three blocks against the Red Storm.

Rockvale Outlets Classic: 9/17-9/18, @ Penn State

No. 2 PSU vs. George Washington - W, 3-0 (25-12, 25-5, 25-13)

Freshman Deja McClendon (Louisville, Ky.) led all players with 15 kills on a career-high hitting percentage of .636. Junior Katie Kabbes (Raleigh, N.C.) was second on the team with nine kills and a career-high hitting percentage of .692. Sophomore Kristin Carpenter (Mechanicsville, Va.) dished out 31 assists and tied for first on the team 10 digs. Senior Cathy Quilico (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) also posted 10 digs. Freshman Ali Longo (Littleton, Colo.) led the team with three aces and freshman Katie Slay (Raleigh, N.C.) had a match-high five blocks.

The Nittany Lions attacked at a blistering .541 clip and totaled 42 kills, 38 assists, six aces, 34 digs and 9.5 total team blocks. Penn State held the Colonials to -.060 hitting, 18 kills, 17 assists, 27 digs and 1.0 team block.

No. 2 PSU vs. Princeton - W, 3-0 (25-8, 25-8, 25-13)

Senior Blair Brown (Purcellville, Va.) led the team with 12 kills on .647 hitting. Senior Arielle Wilson (Broadview, Ill.) was second on the team with seven, while junior Katie Kabbes (Raleigh, N.C.) tied with Martin with six. Freshman Mikinzie Moydell (Parker, Colo.) paced the offense with 17 assists, splitting time with sophomore Kristin Carpenter (Mechanicsville, Va.) who posted nine. Senior Alyssa D'Errico (Byron, N.Y.) had a match-high 16 digs, while Kabbes and senior Fatima Balza (Merida, Venezuela) led the Nittany Lions with four blocks apiece.

The Nittany Lions registered a .417 attack percentage tallying 39 kills, 32 assists, five aces, 50 digs and 9.0 total team blocks. Penn State held Princeton to a -.048 hitting percentage, 19 kills, one ace, 39 digs and zero team blocks.

No. 2 PSU vs. St. John's - W, 3-0 (25-11, 25-15, 25-5)

Sophomore Kristin Carpenter (Mechanicsville, Va.), senior Arielle Wilson (Broadview, Ill.) and senior Alyssa D'Errico (Byron, N.Y.) were Penn State's representatives on the Rockvale Outlet's All-Tournament Team...

Senior Blair Brown (Purcellville, Va.) led the Lions with 11 kills, while freshman Deja McClendon (Louisville, Ky.) was second on the team with eight. Carpenter dished out 28 assists and contributed two blocks. D'Errico led the team in digs with eight and aces with five. Junior Katie Kabbes (Raleigh, N.C.) had a career-high eight blocks, Wilson put up seven. Senior Fatima Balza (Merida, Venezuela) had a season-high eight as well.

Penn State attacked a .314 clip and held the Red Storm to -.257 hitting. The Nittany Lions posted 33 kils, seven aces, 22 digs and 16.5 total team blocks. St. John's finished the match with 13 kills, one ace, 19 digs and 3.0 team blocks.

In the Polls

Not much change from last week, the Nittany Lions stayed at No. 2 in the AVCA Coaches' Poll. Penn State received one first-place vote in this week's poll.

Up next...
Penn State is back in action on Friday, Sept. 24 at 8 p.m. ET at Illinois. The Nittany Lions then travel to Wisconsin for a Sunday afternoon matchup (2 p.m. ET) against the Badgers.

For extended stats, check out GoPSUsports.com

Follow LBU on Facebook and Twitter. Subscribe to Linebacker-U.com by Email