Behind big efforts from underclassmen Katie Slay and Deja McClendon, Penn State holds a 2-0 lead in the NCAA Championship game against California.
Penn State cruised 25-20 in the first set as McClendon and senior Blair Brown hit well on the outside. The Lions also got big blocks inside from freshman Slay.
In the second set, both teams took turns holding the lead, and Penn State needed a big late set comeback to eventually win 27-25.
McClendon leads Penn State with 12 kills on .321 hitting. Brown has 10 kills on .350 hitting and senior Arielle Wilson has 8 kills on .375 hitting. Sophomore setter Kristin Carpenter has 31 assists early on and Slay leads Penn State with six key blocks.
The Lions are looking for their fourth straight national title in the third set. A victory would also give the Nittany Lions their fifth overall national championship in program history.