WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Caitlyn Newton's season-high 26 kills powered No. 6 Purdue (14-3, 6-2 B1G) to a 3-2 victory over No. 15 Penn State (13-5, 6-2 B1G). The Boilermakers, after taking the first set, fell in the next two before coming back to close out the match with the win (25-23, 15-25, 20-25, 25-23, 15-11).
The result marks the third victory in the last five matches versus Penn State. Moreover, it is the first victory to come against the Nittany Lions in the confines of Holloway since 2010 (last: W, 3-2 on 10/8/2010) and the second home victory since 1987.
Newton set the tone immediately, notching an errorless seven kills on eight swings (.875 attack %) in the first set. The graduate student out of Terre Haute, Indiana, went on to post just four total errors on the night, despite having 63 attempts over the five sets (.349 attack %). In addition to being just three kills shy of tying her career-best, Newton was two digs shy of a double-double and added a block solo for the second straight match.
Newton was joined by setter Hayley Bush and Jena Otec, who each posted season-bests with 48 assists and 27 digs, respectively. Bush's 48 assists were coupled with 11 digs for her seventh double-double of the season. The setter rounded out the day with five kills (5-0-11), a .455 attack %, one ace and two block assists on the night.
As a team, Purdue was out-hit 68-59 in kills and .230-.198 in efficiency. Meanwhile, Penn State owned the edge in total blocks, 9-8. Purdue's ability to win the serve and pass game fueled the victory, notching one more dig than Penn State (76-75) and a more efficient serve (.930 vs. .916 %).
Maddie Koch went a perfect 5-0-5 over the final two sets, producing key points to position Purdue for the set wins. On the day, the junior totaled seven kills on 17 swings for a .294 attack % and two block assists.
In the back row, Maddie Schermerhorn saw a team-high 31 receptions in the match, and maintained a perfect reception % with no errors. The junior totaled eight digs in the match. Freshman Ali Hornung saw action in the final four sets and was a key figure in the defense, adding three digs. Meanwhile, Otec's 27 digs register as her fourth-best performance in her career.
With the win, Purdue improves to 3-1 in five-set matches this season.
The Boilermakers will have a quick turnaround, as they will be back in action Wednesday to host Michigan State. The match is slated to begin at 8 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network.
The result marks the third victory in the last five matches versus Penn State. Moreover, it is the first victory to come against the Nittany Lions in the confines of Holloway since 2010 (last: W, 3-2 on 10/8/2010) and the second home victory since 1987.
Newton set the tone immediately, notching an errorless seven kills on eight swings (.875 attack %) in the first set. The graduate student out of Terre Haute, Indiana, went on to post just four total errors on the night, despite having 63 attempts over the five sets (.349 attack %). In addition to being just three kills shy of tying her career-best, Newton was two digs shy of a double-double and added a block solo for the second straight match.
Newton was joined by setter Hayley Bush and Jena Otec, who each posted season-bests with 48 assists and 27 digs, respectively. Bush's 48 assists were coupled with 11 digs for her seventh double-double of the season. The setter rounded out the day with five kills (5-0-11), a .455 attack %, one ace and two block assists on the night.
As a team, Purdue was out-hit 68-59 in kills and .230-.198 in efficiency. Meanwhile, Penn State owned the edge in total blocks, 9-8. Purdue's ability to win the serve and pass game fueled the victory, notching one more dig than Penn State (76-75) and a more efficient serve (.930 vs. .916 %).
Maddie Koch went a perfect 5-0-5 over the final two sets, producing key points to position Purdue for the set wins. On the day, the junior totaled seven kills on 17 swings for a .294 attack % and two block assists.
In the back row, Maddie Schermerhorn saw a team-high 31 receptions in the match, and maintained a perfect reception % with no errors. The junior totaled eight digs in the match. Freshman Ali Hornung saw action in the final four sets and was a key figure in the defense, adding three digs. Meanwhile, Otec's 27 digs register as her fourth-best performance in her career.
With the win, Purdue improves to 3-1 in five-set matches this season.
The Boilermakers will have a quick turnaround, as they will be back in action Wednesday to host Michigan State. The match is slated to begin at 8 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network.