It’s not every day you get to take down your old team and your best friend in one match, but that’s exactly what Caroline Jurevicius pulled off against the Nebraska Huskers. Once a redshirt at Nebraska, now a Nittany Lion, Jurevicius delivered a monster performance with 18 kills, a hitting percentage over .400, and a huge role in Penn State’s win that sealed a share of the Big Ten championship—their first since 2017. Oh, and did we mention it was against the No. 1 team in the nation? But if you thought this might spark bad blood, think again. Jurevicius had nothing but love for her former squad and her best friend, Andi Jackson, who lined up on the other side of the net.

“I mean, I have nothing but love and respect for the Nebraska Volleyball Program. They’re a great group of girls. I mean, I threw the ball to my best friend, Andi Jackson, across the net beforehand. And I am very, very thankful for that program,” Jurevicius told Michella Chester. Despite the tough mental preparation it took to face the Huskers, who had a 25-game win streak and had already defeated Wisconsin twice, Jurevicius’s leadership shone through, proving her resilience and commitment to her new team. And now, with the Big Ten season finished and Nebraska also winning a share of the title, Caroline Jurevicius has rightfully earned an award for her performance.

Caroline Jurevicius receives an honor!

On December 2, via X, Big Ten Volleyball posted some exciting news as it highlighted the week’s award winners. Among the winners, the highlight was Caroline Jurevicius, who emerged as Freshman of the Week after an outstanding display for Penn State! Setter Izzy Starck was awarded Setter of the Week to show that she is also a great playmaker during the matches.

But hey, it wasn’t just the Nittany Lions soaking up all the spotlight! Minnesota came through with some stars of its snagging well-deserved recognition. Julia Hanson, who’s been a total powerhouse, snagged the Player of the Week honor. And honestly, how could she not? This standout played in every single one of the 30 matches, crushing it with a team-best 4.61 points and 4.05 kills per set. That’s some next-level consistency and domination right there.

And let’s not forget the wall that is Phoebe Awoleye, who grabbed the Defensive Player of the Week award. This Minnesota star was an unshakable force all season long, locking it down with 1.50 blocks per set while sprinkling in 0.96 kills and 0.17 digs. She’s that player you can always count on to have your back—literally.

Coming back to Caroline Jurevicius, she just had that game—the one that’ll be talked about for ages. The redshirt freshman popped off, dropping a career-high 18 kills on .414 hitting, plus throwing in two blocks and two digs for good measure, all to help Penn State snag its 18th Big Ten title. And let’s not forget, this wasn’t just any win—it came against Nebraska in front of a packed Rec Hall. Those 18 kills? Yeah, they crushed her old best of 11. Now, with the NCAA spotlight shining bright, Caroline’s soaking it all in and gearing up for the big dance ahead. Let’s see what kind of magic she’s ready to bring!

Jurevicius going into the NCAA season!

When Caroline Jurevicius was asked about the thrill of taking down her old squad and locking in a “statement” win, she didn’t hold back. Reflecting on the moment, she lit up with pride over how her team proved they belong on the big stage ahead of the national championships. “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,’” said Jurevicius. Now, with their confidence soaring, they’re ready to ride that wave of momentum straight into the NCAA tournament.

“We know we can do it. It’s just about capitalizing on that and not resting on our laurels,” Caroline Jurevicius shared, giving a peek into the unshakable mindset driving Penn State forward. Her journey as a redshirt freshman has been nothing short of extraordinary, but what makes her rise even more heartwarming is the family legacy she carries. Her dad, Joe Jurevicius, isn’t just any sports figure—he’s a Super Bowl-winning NFL icon who once graced the football fields at Penn State. But for Caroline, it wasn’t touchdowns that shaped her childhood.

“My dad didn’t take me to football games, he took me to Penn State volleyball games,” she shared with a smile that said it all. Growing up in the stands of the very court she now commands, she’s channeling that legacy into pure firepower on the court. Now, with Penn State sliding into a cozy spot as one of the top four seeds for the NCAA regionals, the Nittany Lions are gearing up to bring the heat on their home turf.

Sitting pretty as the No. 3 seed, they’re set to rule the upper-right region, and joining the party are Creighton, Texas, and Utah, but let’s be real—there’s something extra electric about Penn State’s setup. That home-court vibe? It’s got game-changer energy written all over it, and you can bet the Nittany Lions are ready to turn it into their volleyball playground!