Penn State beats Louisville, wins 8th volleyball title in program history

Penn State races to a 12-5 lead, forcing Louisville to burn its final timeout. A new national record 21,860 fans pack the KFC Yum! Center, but the Cardinals still need answers as Jess Mruzik and company continue to roll.

Jess Mruzik opens the set with another kill to spark a 6-1 Penn State run. Taylor Trammell adds a speedy middle attack and the Nittany Lions seem determined to put this game away. Louisville needs an answer — and fast.

Penn State takes Set 3 by a 25-20 margin, powered by Jess Mruzik’s 10 kills in the frame. The Nittany Lions are one set away from winning a national title.

Penn State jumps ahead 7-3, fueled by four kills in this set from Jess Mruzik. Louisville calls timeout as Elena Scott tries to anchor the Cardinals’ defense.

S3 | #PSUVB 7, Louisville 3

Back to back kills by @voll_jess force a Cardinals timeout!#WeAre pic.twitter.com/tYdnLBfkbm

— Penn State Women’s Volleyball (@PennStateVBALL) 22 December 2024

The 66 total points scored in Set 2 makes history for the most in a single set in an NCAA Championship game.

It’s hard to believe it’s only the second set. There were 10 ties in Set 2, with Louisville coming out on top, 34-32 in extra points.

Penn State served hard early, adding several service aces and six blocks to the stat sheet. The match is tied, 1-1.

HEART CARDS TAKE SETS OF TWO#NCAAWVB x @LouisvilleVB pic.twitter.com/JK3DlTGugs

— NCAA Women’s Volleyball (@NCAAVolleyball) 22 December 2024

KFC Yum! Center erupts after a 5-0 Louisville scoring run ties Set 2, 24-24.

Set 2 | Louisville 24 – Penn State 24 (1)

WE ARE ALL BOUND!!! FIVE STRAIGHT POINTS FOR THE CARDS!#GoCards

— Louisville Volleyball (@LouisvilleVB) 22 December 2024

A Nittany Lions 3-0 score forces a Louisville timeout. Penn State added two more service aces in this second set, totaling six in the match so far.

Nitts leads 11-7 and is hitting .455 in Set 2.

Billie Jean King and Dawn Staley took to social media and applauded the first NCAA women’s volleyball final with two female head coaches. This night guarantees a woman will claim the Division I title, marking a historic moment for women’s sports.

The @NCAAVolleyball The national championship on Sunday will make history as both teams are coached by women for the first time ever.

The game will also make history because a woman will win as a head coach for the first time since the NCAA tournament began in 1981.

Good luck with…

— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) 20 December 2024

Afternoon everyone! Let’s give these women representatives @NCAAVolleyball in a national championship coached exclusively for women….historic moment we are part of an arc! Dani busboom-Kelly @louisvillevb
Katie Schumacher-Cawley @pennstatevball you make us all proud!

— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) 20 December 2024

Penn State beats Louisville 25-23 to open the match, highlighted by four service aces. A Cardinals error seals the set for the Nittany Lions in a back-and-forth game.

Louisville sets the tone at the net coming out of halftime with back-to-back blocks. It is tied at 15-15, the eighth tie in Set 1 so far.

Set 1 | Louisville 15 – Penn State 15

B2B MONSTER BLOCKS TO BIND US #GoCards pic.twitter.com/wL1DpHdtfk

— Louisville Volleyball (@LouisvilleVB) 22 December 2024