Anna DeBeer was the one who led the Cardinal’s comeback in the NCAA semifinals. After being one set down, DeBeer’s performance helped Louisville fight back and ultimately take the win against Pitt. However, an injury during the match sidelined the star player, sparking concerns about her presence in the Championship final against Penn State. Those concerns came true when DeBeer remained sidelined in the most important match in Louisville’s history.

DeBeers absence proved a decisive blow for the Cardinals as Penn State took control of the game after the second set. While the Cards dug deep to win a prolonged 34-23 points set, Katie Schumacher-Cawley’s side proved too much to handle in sets three and four. “Congratulations to Katie Schumacher-Cawley!” posted the official NCAA Women’s Volleyball handle on X.

“Schumacher-Cawley becomes the first female coach ever to lead her team to a National Championship in DI Women’s Volleyball!” added the NCAA Women’s Volleyball page. After winning the first set (25-23), Louisville proved they wouldn’t give up without a fight and came back from a 19-24 deficit to win the second set (34-32). However, the effort may have proved too much.

With Anna DeBeer out of the offensive line, Louisville’s attack and ability to counterattack took a hit in the following two sets. Meanwhile, Penn State’s Jess Mruzik led the Nittany Lions’ offense with a whopping 29 kills, a 0.315 hit % and 14 digs. Camryn Hannah contributed 19 kills, followed by former Husker Caroline Jurevicius with 10.

And while Louisville struggled with a limited offense, Charitie Luper and Maldonado Diaz gave a valiant effort, scoring 21 and 20 kills, respectively. However, ultimately the day belonged to the Nittany Lions as Katie Schumacher-Cawley and her team made women’s volleyball history at the KFC Yum! Center. The victory has put the Penn State coach in an exclusive club.

The Penn State coach made history while fighting cancer

After winning the 2024 NCAA Championship title, Katie Schumacher-Cawley has joined the exclusive club of coaches who have won the conference and national titles in the same season. The Nittany Lions upset the Nebraska Huskers, who were on a 25-game win streak, to earn the BIG10 title on November 29. That win acted as a massive confidence booster.

“I think we just kind of solidified like, ‘Yeah, we should be here. We’re Penn State volleyball, and we’re gonna defend our house,'” Jurevicuis said after their statement win against NU. However, it was Coach Schumacher-Cawley who acted as the axis of inspiration throughout the season. Despite getting diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer in September, the Penn State coach stayed with the team.

“I feel normal here at Rec Hall and I just want to keep going. I feel so loved, and I’m so lucky to have the staff I have,” Katie Schumacher-Cawley told ESPN. Tonight the inspiring coach’s perseverance paid off as, despite a strong answer from Louisville in the second set, the Lions didn’t let the Cardinals capitalize on their momentum. And now the first female coach to lead a BIG conference team to the NCAA championship has become the first woman to lift the most prestigious title in all of college volleyball.