Penn State women’s volleyball fell one spot to No. 16 in the week five AVCA poll released Monday afternoon.

In their first two Big Ten matches of the season, the Nittany Lions beat No. 17 USC in five sets Friday night before losing 3-1 to a then-unranked UCLA team on Sunday. The Bruins are now ranked No. 24.

Also representing the Big Ten is No. 1 Nebraska, which Penn State will play Friday night, No. 7 Wisconsin, No. 10 Minnesota, and No. 13 Purdue.

The 7-5 Nittany Lions have fallen in every poll so far this season after being the preseason No. 2 team in the nation.

Florida transfer Kennedy Martin has been Penn State’s top weapon early this season and went for a career-high 34 kills on Sunday, while Ohio State transfer Emmi Sellman and returners Gillian Grimes and Maggie Mendelson have also provided sparks.

Along with its home match against Nebraska at 8 p.m. Friday, Penn State will go on the road for the first time since September 1 to take on Maryland at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

About the Author

Michael Siroty

Michael Siroty is a junior from Westfield, New Jersey, majoring in broadcast journalism. When he isn't writing articles or making TikToks for Onward State, Siroty is probably somewhere talking about college sports. You can contact him to discuss your sushi order or music taste on Instagram and X @msiroty or by email at mfs6682@psu.edu.

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