LOUISVILLE, Kentucky — Penn State’s women’s volleyball team won a historic national semifinal match Thursday to set up even more history Sunday: For the first time since the NCAA tournament for the sport began in 1981, a woman will win the title as head coach.
That’s guaranteed, as both teams in Sunday’s final (ABC, 3 p.m. ET) are coached by women. Penn State is led by Katie Schumacher-Cawley, while its opponent in the championship round, Louisville, is led by Dani Busboom Kelly. Both women won NCAA titles as players — Schumacher-Cawley with Penn State in 1999 and Busboom Kelly with Nebraska in 2006.
“I think we’ve heard that quite a bit: the first time a woman this or that,” Schumacher-Cawley said. “But I’m excited for this team. I think Dani’s an exceptional coach, and I’m excited we both get to compete at this level.”
It has been an emotional year for the Nittany Lions, with Schumacher-Cawley coaching despite being diagnosed with breast cancer in September. The Nittany Lions say they have been inspired by her.
Penn State will go for…
