Nittany Digs: 'Deja'-Vu All Over Again

Teams just aren't losing. This leaves Penn State women's volleyball anchored firmly at No. 9 in the polls the last few weeks, even though the wins have picked up. The Nittany Lions are now 17-4, coming off sweeps of both Ohio State, and 22nd-ranked Northwestern in Evanston.

Deja McClendon
(Photo: GoPSUsports.com)

Penn State is undefeated in Rec Hall again this season. But with home games against Northwestern and Illinois looming large in the coming weeks, maintaining Penn State's 84-game home win streak is not guaranteed.

With that, here's the wrap up from this past week.

Frosh of the Week, again...

Deja McClendon just can't stop, grabbing this week's Big Ten Freshman of the Week award, her third this season.

"McClendon helped guide the Nittany Lions to victories at Ohio State and No. 22 Northwestern last week. The outside hitter averaged 3.5 kills and 1.8 digs per set in the victories, both three-set sweeps. In a mid-week match against Ohio State, the freshman finished with nine kills and nine digs before concluding the weekend with 12 kills, two digs and three blocks against the nationally ranked Wildcats."

No. 9 Penn State at Ohio State - W, 3-0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-18)

Senior Blair Brown (Purcellville, Va.) led Penn State (16-4, 6-3 Big Ten) with 13 kills, while senior Arielle Wilson (Broadview, Ill.) and freshman Deja McClendon (Louisville, Ky.) had nine kills apiece. Sophomore setter Kristin Carpenter (Mechanicsville, Va.) dished out 35 assists and tied for second on the team with eight digs. McClendon had a team-best nine digs, while senior Alyssa D'Errico (Byron, N.Y.) registered eight. Wilson led all players with two blocks.

Penn State hit .309 and held Ohio State (16-6, 4-5 Big Ten) to .202. The Nittany Lions totaled 42 kills, five aces, 39 digs and 3.0 total team blocks. The Buckeyes closed out the match with 35 kills, two aces, 37 digs and 3.0 team blocks.

No. 9 Penn State at No. 22 Northwestern - W, 3-0 (25-18, 25-18, 25-18)

Senior Blair Brown (Purcellville, Va.) and freshman Deja McClendon (Louisville, Ky.) led Penn State with 12 kills apiece. Senior Arielle Wilson (Broadview, Ill.) was the other Nittany Lion leader offensively with 10. Sophomore setter Kristin Carpenter (Mechanicsville, Va.) paced the offense with 40 assists, while senior libero Alyssa D'Errico (Byron, N.Y.) had a match-high 18 digs. Senior Fatima Balza (Merida, Venezuela) posted a match-high six blocks, while Brown was second on the team with five blocks, including two solo.

The Nittany Lions (17-4, 7-3 Big Ten) attacked at a .378 clip and held the Wildcats to .129. PSU recorded 46 kills, two aces, 45 digs and 10.0 total team blocks. Northwestern finished the match with 30 kills, three aces, 30 digs and 4.0 team blocks.

In the Polls

Penn State held its No. 9 spot in the AVCA Coaches Poll this week.

What's Next?

Penn State is back in action on Friday, Oct. 29 when it hosts Indiana at 6:30 p.m. in Rec Hall. The Nittany Lions then take on Purdue at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30.

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