UCLA defeats No. 15 Penn State in five-set volleyball thriller

UCLA women’s volleyball secured its first ranked victory of the season by defeating No. 15 Penn State in a five-set match at Pauley Pavilion. The Bruins won with set scores of 25-20, 15-25, 17-25, 26-24, and 15-12.

After losing the second and third sets, UCLA rallied to win the fourth set and closed out the fifth set with a 6-1 run. Maggie Li led the Bruins with 17 kills and 18.5 points, while Kat Lutz recorded a career-high 28 digs. Other notable contributors for UCLA included Brooke Harwood and Eliana Urzua, both reaching double-digit kills.

Penn State was led offensively by Kennedy Martin, who recorded 25 kills, and Whitney Lauenstein, who had 19 kills. Despite the Nittany Lions holding a 2-1 set lead, UCLA’s defensive pressure and service play ultimately secured the comeback win.