Penn State’s Kennedy Martin proved to outlast Central Michigan’s Taylor Cripe in Penn State Classic: women’s volleyball

Taylor Cripe (Central Michigan, left), and Kennedy Martin (Penn State).

Kennedy Martin has been lighting up the scoreboard for Penn State women’s volleyball.

The Nittany Lions were host of a three-day tournament, the Penn State Classic, over the weekend, where Penn State not only won both matches, but also showcased their multiplication skills.

The meeting between the two universities in Rec Hall on Sunday was the first since 1994. Penn State has dominated the outcome in each of the previous matches holding a record of 4-0.

Martin, of the current generation, performed like she did in the blue and white’s win against Princeton on Friday. The match went to five sets.

Against Central Michigan, Kennedy led in kills (16), and blocks (5). Her ability could lead her to following in the footsteps of both coaches on the floor, Katie Schumacher-Cawley (Penn State) and Arielle Wilson (Central Michigan).

Both are Penn State women’s volleyball grads.

The Nittany Lions continued their winning streak Sunday against Central Michigan. Martin was again an important part in the decisive win.

Her teammate, Gillian Grimes, led defensively with 10 digs. Grimes dove after every ball to keep the ball in system. Her extra effort helped set up Martin and setter Addy Lyon.

With Penn State’s defense playing a considerable role in the match, the squad was mentally prepared.

“We talk about being aggressive and taking care of the ball,” Schumacher-Cawley said. “Our backcourt players know their role, and it's just don't hold back and continue to be aggressive and communicate well.”

Although the Nittany Lions brought determination with them to the court, the same could be said for Central Michigan. 

As seen in their match against Princeton, the Chippewas came back with the same fire and energy they had Saturday in Sunday’s matchup. At the start of each set, Central Michigan’s strategic on-the-court huddles were buzzing with connectivity.

That communication impacted Central Michigan’s power. They were hot on Penn State’s heels. When one team went on a run, the other would come back. 

The Chippewas' star, outside hitter, Taylor Cripe, fought back against the Lions’ attacks, helping her team stay on the hunt for a victory. 

In the end, Penn State had more accuracy than Central Michigan. The Nittany Lions swept sets one and two. The final points were 25-21 and 25-20 Penn State.

Cripe tried to help lead her team to attack the other side of the court with an untamed amount of energy. Her synergy worked, and helped to narrow the gap to 24-22 Penn State. 

Despite that push, Cripe made an error, and Penn State won the last point, winning all three sets, bringing the Penn State Classic to an end. The final set was 25-22.

The Nittany Lions enter Big Ten play next week with an overall record of 6-4. The Chippewas dropped to 3-9.

Penn State University women's volleyball will take a break throughout the week. Their next match is 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, against the University of Southern California at Rec. Hall. Central Michigan will travel to Illinois to compete against Northern Illinois. That match starts at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25. 

Thank you for reading Female Athlete News. Lily Dorf is a student-intern at Penn State University.