Penn State takes down Western Kentucky and remains undefeated in home openers for the 12th year in a row.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - On Friday night, the No. 14 Penn State Nittany Lions took on No. 22 Western Kentucky as part of the Penn State Invitational hosted at Rec Hall. Coming off of two losses to start their season, the Nittany Lions sought redemption in their 2023 home opener.

The first set of the match was intense. Each team matched the other’s energy, getting aggressive at the net and using double blocks to shut down attacks. After many points in which the score remained neck and neck, Western Kentucky ended the set with a 5-1 scoring run.

Despite the early deficit, Penn State fans showed no signs of discouragement. The stands of Rec Hall were filled with spectators who were not just watching, but standing, cheering, and dancing along to the sounds of the band. The crowd was ready for Penn State’s comeback, and the Nittany Lions did not disappoint.

Penn State started the second set with unstoppable energy and quickly cruised to a 6-0 lead. Western Kentucky’s aggressive blocking strategy, which had worked so well for them in the first set, was now being used against them as the Nittany Lions stuffed one attempt after the other.

“We kind of just had like a come to Jesus moment,” outside hitter Jess Mruzik said. “We always say that we need to have energy and we need to keep talking and in the second set I felt like we finally just did it.”

The rest of the second set saw some outstanding rallies with impressive saves by both liberos, but Penn State ultimately took over the court and secured the set 25-18.

“I think we started playing for each other, had each other’s backs and that, that’s going to definitely get you some wins,” defensive specialist Maddy Bilinovic said.

The two teams kept the score even for the majority of the third set. Outside hitters Jess Mruzik and Kaylee Cox were locked in a battle of relentless kills, each team answering the other’s point with a point of their own. Penn State eventually took the lead and won the set 25-19.

Much like each set before it, the beginning of the fourth set was a battle. Western Kentucky played smart, using tactical strategies to earn their points, while Penn State played with power, sending one kill after the other to the floor.

Match point had the crowd on their feet, watching with anticipation as a service error by Western Kentucky ended it all. Penn State took the set 25-18, and the match 3-1, remaining undefeated in home openers for the 12th year in a row.

The Penn State Invitational will continue through the rest of the weekend as the Nittany Lions take on Colgate at 2 p.m. on Saturday and James Madison at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

“We’ve got to keep it rolling,” Mruzik said. “We say it all the time but, everyone wants to play their best against Penn State and rightfully so but, we just have to keep it going. Get our rest tonight, come out tomorrow and Sunday stronger than we did today.”

Anna Licastro is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, please email arl5942@psu.edu.