Adjusting the chess board: how the Lady Lions adapted in Marisa’s absence

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - When 5th-year guard Makenna Marisa went to the locker room with a lower-body injury in overtime in Penn State’s loss to Ohio State, the level of concern was high.

Marisa had notched 172 points so far in 2023 and tied her career-best point total in a single game with 34 against Kansas. She had also been named to the Nancy Lieberman Award Watch List for a second consecutive season.

The McMurray, Pa. native made her return in Wednesday’s loss to No. 14 Indiana, but in the four games without one of Penn State’s premier scorers, the Lady Lions still went 3-1. Their only loss came at home against a Michigan State squad that currently sits at 12-3.

The blue and white barely missed a beat in Marisa’s absence, which stemmed from many players stepping up in massive ways on the court.

Redshirt freshman Moriah Murray posted her season-high of 18 points in Penn State’s dominating 119-43 win over St. Francis. Head coach Carolyn Kieger viewed this as a microcosm for the effort and improvement she has shown in games and in practice.

“We’ve been saying as a staff that Moriah needs to continue to play more,” Kieger said in a Dec. 12 press conference. Kieger also praised Murray for being able to “facilitate, command and direct” as a strong guard.

Sophomore Shay Ciezki has also continued to build on her breakout year, even with Marisa on the sideline.

The guard shattered her career-high single-game point total set earlier this year by becoming only the fourth Lady Lion in history to score 40 in one game in their outing against Central Connecticut State.

Staying with Marisa’s guard position, Tay Valladay continued to emerge as a weapon in Penn State’s offensive arsenal. The former Marquette and Virginia player also had a career day in Marisa’s absence, scoring 32 in their loss to Michigan State on Dec. 30.

“She’s getting in the lab,” Coach Kieger said in response to being asked about Valladay’s performance throughout the season. “[Being] able to play with Makenna and Shay has let her just catch and shoot.”

Moving down low on the court, forward Ali Brigham took on a more diverse role in a Marisa-less team. The 6-foot-4 senior had one of her most impressive games in Penn State’s first in-conference win of the season against Northwestern.

Brigham secured a season-high of 17 points which included just the second three-pointer of her collegiate career. She also had her season-high in assists that complemented four rebounds and a block on the defensive front.

Coach Kieger was proud of the Mass. native’s development and ability in different positions and facets of play during games. She said she gives Brigham “a lot of credit for becoming a leader by example and being vocal.”

Makenna Marisa’s injury looked to be a setback to a strong start to the season for Penn State, but the rest of the team has had some of their best showings this past month.

With Marisa returning to the lineup going forward, the team’s chemistry and performance should only strengthen as the Lady Lions try to navigate a highly competitive Big Ten.

Jack Rachinsky is a first-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email jjr6682@psu.edu