Nov. 27, 1999
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Purdue volleyball team closed out the 1999 season tonight with a 3-1 (7-15, 6-15, 3-15) loss to No. 1-ranked Penn State. The Boilermakers finish 15-14 (7-12 Big Ten), while the 30-1 Lady Lions head to the post-season, recording back-to-back 20-0 Big Ten seasons. First-year Purdue head coach Jeff Hulsmeyer was impressed with the effort from the Boilers.
"I was pleased with our effort tonight," Hulsmeyer said. "We've got to keep competing every time for every ball like we did tonight. I think we did a good job of keeping Penn State into longer rallies."
The Boilers showed an impressive effort, but it was just not enough to combat the No. 1 team in the county. Purdue was held to only a .042 hitting percentage, while the Lady Lions hit for .360. Penn State's defense was unstoppable as the Lions recorded 17 blocks to Purdue's four. The Boilers recorded 33 attack errors to Penn State's mere 9 on 45 attempts.
The Boilers scored the first two points of the match, but Penn quickly put together a 13-2 run to take the lead. Purdue would get in three more points, but it wouldn't be enough to hold off the Lions, who took Game 1, 15-7. Game 2 would be a repeat for Penn State, who won 15-6.
Purdue was only able to score three points in Game 3, as the Lions took the game and the match 15-3.
Senior setter Taryn Catlin recorded assists, which allowed her to become Purdue's all-time career assists leader with 4,584. Tonight's kill leader for the Boilers was senior Sarah Emke with 13. Penn State senior Lauren Cacciamani led the Lions with 17 kills.