Very similar to most matches this season, Penn State's strength came from these two and this weekend was no different, both Levy and Schumacher gave their share of blistering bunches to the Mountaineer defense as they combined for 23 kills in the opening match.
On one particular play in the second game Levy came up the middle and took a pass from Hayden and buried into the chest of a West Virginia's Jill Ruskowski.
The ball then shot up and smacked Ruskowski in the face. While the ball may have stunned Ruskowski, the Lion faithful roared and hollered as Levy walked away with a smile on her face and the confidence as if she expected nothing less.
Throughout the weekend Levy proved for the most part that if Penn State was going to be successful this season she will have to be a force other teams are going to have to prepare for.
While the win gave Penn State and Rose his career 700 win, the atmosphere remained business as usual afterward as he shrugged off his own personal achievement.
"Penn State University has had a successful volleyball program as they have in gymnastics and wrestling," Rose said. "I just happened to be here for a number of years and have been a part of the development of this program."
On Saturday, the Lions played a pair of matches against Eastern Kentucky and Fairfield and much like Penn State had done in Friday's match, the Lions rolled the Colonels easily (15-5, 15-0, 15-6) and the Stags (15-7, 15-13, 15-7)
While Rose was pleased with the team's blocking, Penn State fans witnessed the birth of a future star in outside hitter Cara Smith.
"I feel really good and a little surpised I was trying to go in and help the team win," Smith said.
The freshman gave Penn State a strong performance and helped lead the Lions to victory as she registered a .489 hitting percentage over the three matches.
She continued dazzle the crowd in the evening match against Fairfield where she 10 kills on 15 attempts and was named the tournament most valuable player.
While the competition will increase as Penn State enters the Big Ten season Rose was quick to point out that every match the Lions participate is a challenge and can not be taken lightly.
"We still have to play the game and I don't ever comment on the competition that we play," Rose said.
"We are very appreciative of the teams that come in here and want to play here. There was a time when people maybe thought of that of Penn State. But you never know.
There are teams you schedule and there could be injuries that could play into a factor."
