Nittany Lions Host Wildcats to Kick Off Spring (WVB Spring Game Preview)
- bryanportney01
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
Villanova (20-8, 11-5 Big East) at Penn State (19-13, 12-8 Big Ten)
Date: Saturday, April 11
Time (EST): 4:00 PM
Location: Rec Hall (University Park, PA)
Watch: Big Ten Network
Storylines
Quick Preview: Fresh Start in Happy Valley
After 2025’s rather disappointing act to follow the 2024 national championship season, the blue and white have hit the ground running with seven newcomers, including four recruits and three transfers.
Penn State now gets to showcase its new roster against a two-setter Villanova team that stayed competitive in a conference beginning to garner respect in the world of women’s college volleyball.
Portland Earns Coaching Promotion
Assistant coach Joe Portland was elevated to the role of associate head coach after a successful 2025 campaign.
Portland has been credited with developing four all-Big East selections in his tenure at Villanova, which started in 2021 when he was a volunteer assistant.
Source: Villanova University
Setter-Hitter Reunion
Setter Alexis Stucky reunited with former Florida teammate Kennedy Martin after transferring out of Gainesville in the winter.
Stucky and Martin played for Florida in 2023 and 2024, but this will be the first time the two are at the centerpiece of an offense together.
The Head-to-Head History of Villanova-Penn State (Source: 2025 PSU WVB Record Book/2025 Women's Volleyball Schedule)
*NOTE: Spring games are not recorded as part of the head-to-head history, therefore all records and results are regular season only.
Penn State is 15-0 against Villanova all-time. Their last meeting was on September 29, 2015, when Penn State swept Villanova at home.
Penn State is 11-0 against Villanova all-time, with their last meeting of that kind being on September 29, 2015 (see above).
Penn State has won all 15 head-to-head meetings dating back to 1985. Villanova has never defeated Penn State.
Villanova at Penn State: By The Numbers (2025)
Villanova | Offense | Penn State |
1449 (13.54) | Kills (per set) | 1637 (13.53) |
.252 | Hitting Percentage | .250 |
161 (1.50) | Aces (per set) | 169 (1.40) |
Villanova | Defense | Penn State |
1442 (13.48) | Digs (per set) | 1558 (12.88) |
.203 | Opp Hitting Percentage | .238 |
233.5 (2.18) | Blocks (per set) | 252.5 (2.09) |
Players To Watch
Players to Watch include four players, each of which is selected for excelling at any of these categories: Attacking (OPP/OHs/MBs), Blocking (MBs), Setting (S) and Floor Defense (L).
Villanova
OH1 Abby Harrell, Sr.
Offense: 4.31 pts/set, 3.77 kills/set, .240 hit %
Defense: 2.84 digs/set, .935 rec %
MB1 Campbell McKinnon, Jr.
Offense: 3.51 pts/set, .379 hit %, 0.35 aces/set
Defense: 1.02 blocks/set
S Alyssa Nelson, Jr.
Offense: 5.77 assists/set
Defense: 2.18 digs/set
DS/L Marikate Ritterbusch, So.
Defense: 1.22 digs/set, .933 rec %, .356 opp kill %
Penn State
RS Kennedy Martin, Sr.
Offense: 6.22 pts/set, 5.42 kills/set, .319 hit %
Defense: 2.21 digs/set, 0.76 blocks/set
MB Ryla Jones, Jr. (Pitt transfer)
Offense: 1.90 pts/set, .382 hit %
Defense: 1.18 blocks/set
S Alexis Stucky, R-Sr. (Florida transfer)
Offense: 10.31 assists/set, .235 team hit %
Defense: 2.42 digs/set, 0.50 blocks/set
L/DS Ava Falduto, Jr.
Offense: 0.23 aces/set
Defense: 1.98 digs/set, 0.23 RE/set
Quick Picks & Analysis
Bryan: With how the spring game is structured, there are plenty of possibilities and combos available at the disposal of both teams. Despite the tough challenge on paper, this should be a victory for the Nittany Lions
Pick: Penn State
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