The No. 4 ranked Penn State volleyball team defeated the Washington Huskies in a closely contested match, winning 3-1 at Rec Hall. Despite winning the first set, Washington struggled to maintain momentum, allowing Penn State to pull away with impressive wins in subsequent sets. The Huskies are now 19-9 overall and 9-9 in conference play with one week left in the regular season. Kierstyn Barton led Washington with 11 kills as the team struggled with a .124 hitting percentage compared to Penn State’s .289. Washington’s loss complicates their chances of a favorable seeding in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

By the numbers

• Washington won the first set 29-27, but lost the next three: 25-9, 25-22, 25-19.
• Penn State’s hitting percentage was .289 versus Washington’s .124.
• Kierstyn Barton recorded 11 kills to lead the Huskies, while two others added 10 kills each.
• Washington had a blocking advantage and outscored Penn State 10.0 to 9.0.

Yes, but

While the Huskies started strong, their inability to close out set three after leading 12-3 shows vulnerability against top teams. Penn State managed to regroup and apply pressure, showing their resilience in crucial moments.

State of affairs

• The Huskies are currently tied for spots in the NCAA Tournament and need strong results in their final games.
• The upcoming games against two ranked opponents are crucial to Washington’s tournament hopes.

What’s next

Washington faces No. 21 USC on Nov. 27 and No. 8 Purdue on Nov. 29. These games could have a significant impact on their NCAA Tournament positioning, making them vital for the Huskies as they attempt to secure their playoff spot.

In short

The Huskies must build on their strengths and improve their consistency to have a chance at postseason play. Taking advantage of the remaining opportunities against ranked opponents will be key to their NCAA tournament aspirations.