Check out the FloVolleyball NCAA Countdown, where we rank the top 20 collegiate women's volleyball teams in the country leading up to opening day on August 26. The No. 12 spot goes to Penn State this year, and here's why:

The Upshot

When 28 wins (in 2015) is considered a down season, you know you're a dynasty.

Last Season

• 28-6 overall, 15-5 in Big Ten (4th place)
  
• 2-1 in NCAA Tournament (lost 3-0 to Hawai'i @ Des Moines)
  
• No. 10 in final 2015 RPI
  
• Team hitting percentage: .295 (#5 in nation)
  
• Opponents' hitting percentage: .162 (#17 in nation)
  
• Team blocks per set: 3.06 (#2)
  

The Players

RETURNING STARS

Haleigh Washington | 6-3 | Junior | Middle Blocker
2.63 kills/set (.442 #3 in NCAA); 1.38 blocks/set; First Team All-American

Ali Frantti | 6-1 | Junior | Outside Hitter
2.63 kills/set (.239); 0.48 blocks/set

Bryanna Weiskircher | 6-0 | Sophomore | Setter
10.83 assists/set; 0.59 blocks/set

Simone Lee | 6-1 | Junior | Outside Hitter
1.84 kills/set (.255); 0.63 blocks/set

PROMISING NEWCOMERS

Jelena Novakovic | 6-3 | Redshirt Freshman | Opposite

Tori Gorrell | 6-2 | Redshirt Freshman | Middle Blocker

Emily DeMure | 6-1 | Freshman | Outside Hitter

Kendall White | 5-5 | Freshman | Defensive Specialist

Abby Detering | 6-0 | Junior | Setter
Transfer from Florida; 0.65 assists/set

Clare Powers | 6-3 | Redshirt Sophomore | Outside Hitter
Transfer from Saint Mary's; 0.58 kills/set (.059); 0.15 blocks/set

BIGGEST LOSSES

Megan Courtney | 6-1 | Outside Hitter
3.04 kills/set (.242); 0.81 blocks/set

Aiyana Whitney | 6-2 | Middle Blocker
3.11 kills/set (.353); 1.10 blocks/set

Non-Conference Matches to Watch

August 27 vs. North Carolina
September 4 vs. Stanford

Outlook

Penn State's fourth-place finish in 2015 was its lowest-ever since it joined the Big Ten in 1990. The Nittany Lions lost to ninth-place Michigan and tenth-place Northwestern last season. For 2016, PSU must move on without graduated All-Americans Megan Courtney and Aiyana Whitney. Happily for coach Russ Rose (38th season), he builds around Haleigh Washington, likely one of the best middle blockers in the country (with Florida's Rhamat Alhassan.) Junior outside hitter Ali Frantti also returns, with the exact same kills/set average as Washington (2.63). Sophomore setter Bryanna Weiskircher was under a lot of pressure as a freshman, and Rose says he might consider using Florida transfer Abby Detering in a 6-2 offense this season. PSU doesn't bring in many recruits this fall, but Rose is high on Kendall White, who could start at libero as a freshman.

Prediction

The Nittany Lions could have been better last season, but probably aren't as good this season. They'll be aiming for an upset win or two against Nebraska, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, but will be pressed to finish in the top three of an extremely strong conference.

Previously:
20. Louisville
19. UNC
18. BYU
17. Illinois
16. Purdue
15. Texas A&M
14. Oregon
13.  Ohio State

Additional research and reporting contributed by Leslie Hamann.


​To see more of your favorite Nittany Lions, be sure to check out this two episode documentary, "All In: USA Women's National Volleyball Team" to see these women on their journey to Rio and the pressure to make the final 12 women roster. 

​




​