Nittany Lions defeat Wisconsin for volleyball crown

SEATTLE – Ariel Scott had 21 kills and Katie Slay added 14 in Penn State’s 3-1 victory over scrappy Wisconsin on Saturday night for the Nittany Lions’ sixth NCAA volleyball championship.

Deja McClendon’s tap over the net for match point gave second-seeded Penn State (34-3) a 25-19, 26-24, 20-25, 25-23 win. It was the Nittany Lions’ first NCAA title since their historic run of four straight from 2007-2010.

The 12th-seeded Badgers (28-10) were the lowest seed to make it to the final match.

McClendon finished with 11 kills for Penn State, which is 6-3 overall in NCAA championship matches. Megan Courtney had 20 digs.

Dominique Thompson had 16 kills for Wisconsin and 5-foot-7 outside hitter Deme Morales added 15. The Badgers were making their first appearance in the championship match since 2000, when they fell to Nebraska in five sets.

Penn State, led by national coach of the year Russ Rose, swept Washington in the semifinals. Surprising Wisconsin downed top-ranked Texas, the defending champion, in straight sets to advance to the final.

The Nittany Lions beat Wisconsin twice in straight sets during the regular season.