Penn State’s volleyball squad just hit a major speed bump—and it came with a shocker of a loss to Wisconsin. Riding high on a 15-match winning streak, everyone thought they’d cruise through this one. But, surprise! The Badgers swept them right off the court in a decisive 3-0 smackdown (25-23, 25-12, 25-13). That sting took them off the top Big Ten spot they’d held onto for ages.

Still, Penn State’s far from out of the race, holding a strong third place in the conference. With a few clutch wins, they’re well within reach of reclaiming the crown. And if anyone’s going to help them do it, it’s outside hitter Caroline Jurevicius. The Nebraska transfer has quickly become a go-to playmaker, bringing the kind of consistency and firepower Penn State needs for a comeback.

 Penn State outside hitter Caroline Jurevicius’ career

Caroline Jurevicius has made quite the journey, starting her volleyball rise at Notre Dame Cathedral Latin High School in Ohio, where she was a total powerhouse. As a senior, she averaged 4.9 kills per set with a sizzling .360 hitting percentage, racking up 224 digs, 44 blocks, and 41 aces. Her high school days weren’t just about stats either—she led her team to the Ohio Division II state title in 2022 and took home Ohio DII Player of the Year honors.

And that’s not all: she represented Team USA at the 2021 FIVB U18 World Championships and snagged a bronze medal. All those accomplishments earned her a spot at Nebraska, where she looked like a future star. But instead of seeing regular playing time, she got redshirted, with the plan to save her for a fifth year. That move didn’t sit well with her, especially since she’d planned to finish her degree in advertising and PR in four years. So, Caroline made the call to transfer to Penn State.

Penn State’s Caroline Jurevicius’ transfer from the Huskers

Caroline Jurevicus joined Penn State during her sophomore year after redshirting the Huskers in her freshman days. The decision felt that it also had a familiar connection to it. This was interesting as her father, Joe Jurevicus, was part of the college. Joe is a legend of the NFL who won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He also played for the New York Giants before the end of his career. During his time with the Nittany Lions, he had 94 receptions and 15 touchdowns. He is thus very highly regarded in Penn State history. This could be one of the reasons Caroline chose the college. Joe’s impact on Caroline is undeniable. “There are things that are going to happen in your life that knock you to your knees,” Joe shared according to the New York Times. “Sports teaches you to get up.” This resilience was evident when Caroline faced challenges.

Off the court, Caroline’s motivation goes beyond volleyball. She’s devoted to raising awareness for rare diseases, inspired by her brother Michael, who passed away from sialidosis when he was just 10 weeks old. Caroline’s commitment to honoring his memory is powerful: “I want to do what he couldn’t… he didn’t have a lot of time on this Earth, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be remembered,” she said.

Joe’s life, filled with both triumphs and hardships, continues to teach his daughters invaluable lessons. “What some people might view as hardship,” he explained, “I view as opportunity.” The Jurevicius family, grounded in both athletic and personal strength, continues to push forward, ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead—on and off the volleyball court. Analyzing her career thus far, the outside hitter certainly has all it takes to soar and perhaps transcend her father’s standards in college.

Penn State’s Caroline Jurevicius’ achievements

Caroline Jurevicius has taken to Penn State’s volleyball scene like she was born for it! Starting as a 6’2″ redshirt freshman outside hitter, she’s been swinging hard, racking up 136 kills and a solid 165.5 points so far. With her high-energy style, she’s had plenty of standout games and stats. Against Louisville on September 3, she went off with 11 kills, helping Penn State secure a major win. And when St. John’s came to town, Caroline pulled out a show-stopping 10-kill, 12.5-point game, hitting an unbelievable 0.909 in attack percentage. But she’s not just about the offense—her defensive skills have been clutch, too. On October 26 against USC, she racked up 7 blocks, showing she’s not only an attacker but a total wall at the net.

Across the season, Caroline Jurevicius’s proving she’s the real deal, balancing her offensive power with steady defensive stats, like 22 digs and a remarkable 56 blocks in total. And whether she’s going up for a spike or a block, she’s making every moment count, giving Penn State fans a reason to keep their eyes glued to the court. From game-changing kills to crucial blocks, Caroline’s freshman season is just the start of what’s looking like an incredible college career!