No. 8 Penn State women's volleyball earned a spot in the 2025 NCAA Women's Volleyball Championship bracket for the 45th consecutive time in program history.
On Friday, the Nittany Lions head to Austin, Tex., playing their postseason match against South Florida. They just finished the 2025 regular season with a win against Iowa on the road, defeating the Hawkeyes 3-1. After getting swept by No. 1 Nebraska in the previous match, Penn State's game against Iowa was a major confidence and momentum booster.
The Nittany Lions played more to their game, cleaning up and controlling chaos while putting more heart, soul, and grit into each play. Against the Cornhuskers, there was a lack of fight. However, Penn State redeemed itself, and that's the energy it needs going into the postseason.
Here's everything you need to know about the Nittany Lions' First Round matchup:
How to watch Penn State vs. South Florida volleyball
- Date: Friday, Dec. 5
- Time: 5:30 p.m. EST
- Venue: Gregory Gymnasium (Austin, Tex.)
- How to Watch and Stream: ESPN+
- Penn State record: 18-12, 12-8 Big Ten
- South Florida record: 17-12, 12-4 American Conference
Nittany Lions to watch
Right side hitter Kennedy Martin
Martin leads the Big Ten in kills with 596 on the season, hitting a .321 average. She also has 249 digs, 84 blocks, 45 aces, and 20 assists. The junior finished the 2025 regular season with 684 total points, 5.42 kills per set, and 6.22 points per set.
Penn State's offense feeds off Martin. Whenever the Nittany Lions are down, the sets go straight to Martin no matter where she is on the court. She has incredible vision, especially back row, and can target her attack over blocks and anywhere on the court due to her height.
Libero Gilliam Grimes
Grimes also earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Conference First Team. She was also named the conference's libero of the year. The senior has 420 digs on the 2025 regular season and 28 aces. Coming in to assist setter Addie Lyon on second touch, Grimes tallied 103 assists as well.
Grimes is all over the back row, whether it's serve-receive or digs. Not only is she reliable on the court for her play, but the libero is always hyping up the Nittany Lions and getting them back on the right track energy-wise.
Middle blocker Maggie Mendelson
Mendelson is the last of the three to earn a Big Ten All-Conference Team spot. She was named to the Second Team after recording 226 kills and a .374 attack percentage. She also has 88 blocks, 23 digs, and 17 assists. Through the regular season, Mendelson logged 272.5 points.
The senior middle blocker progressed through the season, taking a backseat at times off the court and coming back stronger. Mendelson and Lyon worked on their connection as well, making the middle blocker an attack option to set and diversify the offense.
Who's next if Penn State advances to the Second Round?
Whichever team comes out victorious on Friday faces the winner of No. 1 Texas vs. Florida A&M. As the top seed of that side of the bracket, the Longhorns earned home court advantage and will host both games on Dec. 5.
Following the 5:30 p.m. match, Texas and Florida A&M take the court at 8 p.m. EST. The winners of both games face each other on Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. EST for the Second Round of the tournament.