Penn State entered the game against Maryland averaging 2.5 blocks per set through 13 games.
The block against the Terrapins was able to thwart a valiant team looking for its first win in conference play.
Their night was just beginning as the Nittany Lions’ first points came on a strong double block from Taylor Trammell and Caroline Jurevicious.
Kamryn Hanna ended an 8-1 run for the Nittany Lions with a big solo block to give her team a 9-3 lead in the first set.
However, it was all downhill for the blue and white team from there, as Maryland fought back until the end, taking the lead and never allowing the rest of the set.
The part of the game where the Nittany Lions usually focus on the net disappeared after a strong start to the set.
Trammell and Izzy Stark added blocks late in the set, but it wasn’t enough to win the first set.
The second set got off to a hot start with another double block, this time by Izzy and Maggie Mendelsohn.
The second set started to look similar to the first. Penn State took an early lead and Maryland was able to come back. However, blocks from Izzy and Mendelsohn turned the tide, resulting in a Blue-White victory.
After multiple double blocks, the second set ended with Izzy’s solo block. She continued to show how versatile she is to the Katie Schumacher-Cawley team.
“We were getting a little too high at first, and the blocks were a little late. With just a little adjustment to that, we were able to beat them,” Trammell said. .
As Maryland started to pick up steam, the Rec Hall crowd had flashbacks to set one of the third set. However, a double block by Trammell and Izzy completely turned the Nittany Lions’ momentum around.
The Nittany Lions carried that momentum to a third-set victory, and the Blue and White were one set away from stopping the Terrapins.
“I thought our blocking was really good, we had a lot of positive touches and we were able to get around it,” Eva Falduto said.
Powerful blocks from Jurevicius and Trammell kept the momentum from shifting back to Maryland’s side.
The team’s blocking was a huge key to Penn State’s success in holding off the upset of Maryland.
Trammell led the way with eight of the Nittany Lions’ 14 total blocks in the game. With those eight blocks, Trammell hit .500 in his career.
“It’s been a long time, I feel like a grandma. It’s very exciting. That’s why I keep coming back for results like this,” Trammell said.
The Nittany Lions entered this matchup averaging 2.5 blocks per set. However, Rec Hall’s 3.5 blocks per set mark in this match was the deciding factor.
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Maryland entered the big match as the underdog, visiting the No. 3 team in the nation.
