Match Thread - Mich. State @ PSU: Sunday, 10-2-2022 1:00 p.m

Here’s a recap of Penn State’s 3-1 win over Michigan State this afternoon at Rec Hall. Freshman defensive specialist Mandi Morioka made her first career start for the Nittany Lions and finished with six digs and an ace. Quotes from Katie Schumacher-Cawley, Kash Williams, Zoe Weatherington, and Allie Holland have been added.

dignittanyvolleyball.com/penn-state-volleyball-beats-michigan-state-3-1-2/

I like the Markley substitution too. But it does put the team up against the fifteen substitution limit in longer sets. Katie did not insert Markley near the end of the fourth set as that would have used up all of the team’s substitutions. Had the set gone overtime, there is a risk of a DS having to play front row.

I have no real insight, but my guess is that the staff wasn't completely satisfied with the performance of the Grimes/Kuerschen combination, and wanted to try something different.  I seem to recall that Coach Katie said at some point that Morioka had been held back early on by some kind of injury, but that she was fine now.  So, it may be nothing more that "this hasn't been working the way we'd like; let's try something else."