While undergoing breast cancer treatment, Penn State’s Schumacher-Cawley becomes 1st female coach to win NCAA tournament
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Katie Schumacher-Cawley took in her milestone moment with a big smile, hugging confetti-covered players and supporters, before hoisting the NCAA championship trophy that sets her apart from other volleyball coaches.
Other than one focus lapse, the Nittany Lions made sure she’d get it.
Jess Mruzik made 29 kills with a .315 hitting percentage, and Schumacher-Cawley became the first female coach to win a NCAA volleyball championship as Penn State defeated Louisville 3-1 in Sunday’s final.
The Nittany Lions (35-2) earned their record eighth national championship and first since 2014 under the third-year coach, who has led the team while undergoing treatment for breast cancer that was diagnosed in September.
Schumacher-Cawley has nonetheless conducted practices between treatments, a determined and emotional journey that provided a rallying point for players and garnered widespread support.
Penn State completed its mission with aggressive play that kept Louisville (30-6) on the defensive to win 25-23, 32-34, 25-20 and 25-17.
The Nittany Lions’ third-set rebound was especially critical after the Cardinals won an epic second set 34-32 by rallying from several deficits and fighting off nine Nittany Lion set points.