“MVP! MVP! MVP!” The legendary Rec Hall at University Park shook with cheers after the Elite Eight match on Sunday. But here’s the twist—it wasn’t the crowd that kicked off the chant. Nope, it started right there on the court, with the players huddled in a circle, putting someone 6’1″ tall front and center. Was it Katie Schumacher-Cawley, Penn State’s volleyball coach? If you know Katie, you know she’s the queen of earning her flowers, no matter the team. But nope, it wasn’t Katie. So, who was it?

When the players finally stepped aside to reveal the star of the moment, there she was—Jess Mruzik, Penn State’s powerhouse outside hitter. The MVP crown wasn’t just handed to her; she earned it with a performance that left jaws on the floor. On December 15, Mruzik unloaded 20 kills, 4 blocks, and an ace to dismantle Creighton volleyball and punch Penn State’s ticket to the next round. She was a one-woman wrecking crew, single-handedly derailing Creighton’s 25-match win streak like it was nothing. Talk about a challenge! So, what’s the deal with Jess Mruzik? What makes her such an unstoppable force?

How were Jess Mruzik’s early days in volleyball? 

Born on June 15, 2002, Jessica Ann Mruzik had only one dream in her childhood. She wanted to play for Michigan. But how did she land on having such a wish? The story may take us to her early days, as early as when she was just 10. During her middle school years in Metro Detroit, Mruzik accompanied her school volleyball team to Ann Arbor to catch a Wolverines game. That experience led her to move forward with her dream of playing for Michigan volleyball,

However, she already had roots in the sport. She began playing volleyball at an early age after she stopped cheerleading in fourth grade—a choice that has made her happy always. In the meantime, in middle school, she excelled as a player, and coaches recognized her potential right from the beginning. Soon she attracted eyes. But the call didn’t come to her as a player.

Rather it was Michigan Wolverines’ coach Mark Rosen who offered her a post to be a ball girl for the Wolverines. In middle school, that seemed to be the best achievement for her. After many years of those days, Jess Mruzik still remembered that emotional affair. In her interaction with Michigandaily.com, in 2020, she recalled the moments. She ultimately said, “I was like, ‘Heck, yes, I would be interested in being a ball girl here.’ That was my dream just to be like to be around the program and to be involved in the program as much as possible.” But a chance to register for the senior team came much later. 

What were Jess Mruzik’s achievements with the Michigan Wolverines? 

In 2019, just before joining the Wolverines, Jess Mruzik had a list of accolades in her prep year. Like?  

• 2019 National Gatorade Player of the Year 
• 2019 Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year
• 2019 Under Armour All-American
• 2019 Under Armour All-American Game MVP
• 2019 USA Today All-USA Preseason High School All-American
• Four-year letter winner
• 2019 All-State 1st Team
• 2019 Division I State Champion

The titles surely helped Jess Mruzik find a place in the Wolverines list. Well, in spring 2021, she had her first game for her dream team. And she delivered as fine as anyone could ever think of. In her freshman year, the Michigan-born finished second on the team for total kills (163) and in kills per set (3.54). Her average of 3.54 kills per set placed her seventh in the Big Ten. She achieved two matches with over 20 kills, recording 21 in her first collegiate game against Purdue and 20 against Nebraska. 

Then in her sophomore year, Jess Mruzik appeared in every game. She ultimately averaged 3.57 kills per set with a hitting percentage of .244, along with 2.52 digs and 0.46 blocks per set. She was the leading scorer for U-M, finishing with 446.0 total points, with an average of 4.09 points per set. The fireworks stayed longer as she achieved at least 10 kills in 25 matches, surpassing the 20-kill mark three times.

In one of her standout moments, Jess Mruzik set a career high with 31 kills and 53 total attacks in a match against Duke. She also showcased her all-around skills, notching a season-best 16 digs in a game against Penn State. By her junior year, Mruzik was averaging 3.68 kills per set and managed to secure nine double-doubles, with four of them coming in the final five matches for the Wolverines. Then after an impressive stint at Michigan, her journey led her to the Nittany Lions, where she joined a new chapter in her volleyball career.

How did Penn State volleyball treat the Michigan-born prodigy? 

In her freshman year at Penn State, Jess Mruzik came in hot! She recorded a hitting percentage of .251 and accumulated 583.5 points (averaging 4.94 per set), with 519 kills (4.40 per set), 270 digs (2.29 per set), 61 blocks (0.52 per set), and 24 aces. In the single-season record book for Penn State during the 25-point rally scoring era, her performance placed her second in program history for points per set and kills per set, as well as third in total points and total kills. Hold on! There are a few more.

Out of all the matches she played, she achieved double-digit kills in 28 matches and exceeded 20 kills on nine occasions, including a season-high of 27 in four- and five-set contests against Purdue. She also recorded double-digit digs 11 times, with a peak of 16 digs alongside 16 kills in a four-set victory over No. 2 Wisconsin at Rec Hall. Additionally, she tallied 11 double-doubles in her first season in the Nittany Lions’ camp. Talk about making an entrance! And in 2024?

Well, this year, Jess Mruzik has 510 kills in 35 matches. She has taken only 121 sets to set the score. Therefore, her kill/set stands for 4.21. The hitting percentage has remained as great as ever, 0.253. On the other hand, the block per set is 0.51. As per as the digs are concerned, Jess Mruzik has 287 (2.37/set). These staggering numbers have made her the topper among the Lions of Penn State volleyball. Now, a treasure trove of NCAA honors and achievements has followed her for all her hard work.  

What are these collegiate accomplishments of Jess Mruzik? 

Now this month, i.e. December 2024, Jess Mruzik entered the All-Big Ten First Team as the unanimous selection. Certainly, her numbers helped her find a place on the honor list. Apart from this, the 22-year-old has gathered several more titles in her entire college career. Such as:

• Two AVCA All-America distinctions (second team in 2023, honorable mention in 2021)
• Two AVCA All-North Region awards (2021, 22) and one All-Northeast Region award (2023)
• Three first-team All-Big Ten selections (2021, 22, 23)
• three Academic All-Big Ten recognitions (2021, 22, 23)
• She was included in the Big Ten All-Freshman Team (2020)
• She earned one AVCA National Player of the Week title and three Big Ten Player of the Week accolades.

But if these accolades aren’t enough, Jess Mruzik has a phenomenal career with the US national volleyball team as well!

Jess Mruzik’s national career

In June, Jess Mruzik earned a spot on the U.S. National Team roster for the NORCECA Final Six Pan American Cup. Talk about pressure—she wasn’t just there for the vibes; she had the crucial job of helping defend Team USA’s title. And guess what? She crushed it. And now, another big opportunity is knocking at her door!

The big leagues are calling the outside hitter!

This year, Jess Mruzik was selected by the Grand Rapids Rise as the 40th pick in the Pro Volleyball Federation draft, making her the third Penn State player to be drafted, following Camryn Hannah and Taylor Trammell. It’s been a season of rising stars, and now all eyes are on Jess as she gears up to face the Nebraska Huskers this Thursday at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville.

With it being her final collegiate season, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Will Mruzik go out with a bang? Time will tell, but we’re definitely keeping an eye on her! What do you think? Will she end her career on a high note? Let us know!