The Penn State Shenango Women's Volleyball team concluded a remarkable 2024 season, finishing with a 9-18 record and a strong 7-3 mark in conference play. Under the guidance of first-year Head Coach Andrew Frank, the team played a challenging non-conference schedule and achieved several key milestones, including hosting and winning their first-ever playoff game and advancing to the PSUAC Tournament semifinals.
Several school records were shattered this season. Cyra Cross set the single season record for kills with 242, while teammate Kylee Loreno is now tied for second with 201 kills. Carla Ramirez Ortiz also set a new single season record for assists, with 362. In addition, Jade Shattuck is now tied for second in service aces with 48, and Sydney Ward set a single season record for solo blocks, totaling 47. These impressive achievements contributed to the team's success and set a new standard for future seasons. Jill Dunleavy's incredible performance inside and outside of the classroom earned her the prestigious USCAA Women's Volleyball National Student-Athlete of the Year award, which is an award given to student-athletes who demonstrate success in their sport but also in the classroom and in the community.
The season was highlighted by standout performances, particularly from Cyra Cross, who was named PSUAC West Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year, while also earning All-American honors. She was joined by Kylee Loreno, who also earned an All-American nod. Reflecting on the team's progress, Coach Frank said, "I am so pleased and proud of the efforts and success we have had in my first year as head coach. This year's success is a great first step towards building this program to be a perennial top competitor in the PSUAC."
Athletic Director Brandon Padgett commended the team's perseverance, noting, "I love the talent balance that our team showed this year. After some intense struggles in previous seasons, it was great to see this extremely young team come out, fight, and prove their worth. We now have a super strong base to build upon, and I am confident that we will continue to build a top-class program!"
Contributions came from across the roster, with key performances from Cross, who tallied 403 digs and 242 kills, and Loreno, who added 280 digs and 201 kills. Sydney Ward, with 166 kills and 151 digs, played a pivotal role on both offense and defense, while Maggie Briggs made her mark on defense with 44 blocks and 17 digs. These efforts fueled the team's success, culminating in a historic playoff victory and semifinal appearance.
The 2024 season also saw the launch of the Penn State Shenango Cross Country program, which quickly made a name for itself in its inaugural year. Faith Sullivan led the way by winning the conference meet, becoming the program's first-ever conference champion, while teammate Sarah Christy took second place, showcasing the depth of the team. The season ended with an impressive third-place finish at the USCAA National Championship—an outstanding achievement for a brand-new program.
Athletic Director Brandon Padgett praised the team's accomplishments, stating, "To finish 3rd at the national championships in the first year of the program—words cannot describe how proud I am of this team. Each team member played an intricate role in the overall team success, and that is perhaps what I am most proud of. It takes a true team effort to finish where this amazing group of young women finished nationally, and I am beyond excited about the future of this program."
Dr. Morren J. Greenburg Head Cross Country Coach Amy Javens emphasized the team's development: "It was a big season of growth for our team. We achieved our goals of community building, personal best, and staying healthy! Placing third at nationals was icing on the cake. We are looking forward to what the next year will bring us, especially having a full year of training ahead of us to get faster and stronger!"
As the Cross Country team looks ahead, their strong debut season has set the stage for future success. With a dedicated coaching staff and a team of passionate athletes, the program is poised for even greater achievements in the coming years.
Meanwhile, the Penn State Shenango Golf team capped off their season with a notable 4th-place finish in the PSUAC during the conference/national championship event at University Park. A highlight of the season was Nathan Stuyvesant's impressive round of 76, reflecting the team's hard work and commitment.
Head Coach Tom Roskos praised the team's efforts, saying, "The team worked hard and had a great season. To finish 4th among the PSUAC schools is a tremendous accomplishment and something that we can build on in the future. We were proud of the commitment and dedication from the student-athletes to prepare themselves to play their best golf when it mattered most."
Faith Sullivan, who shone in the Cross Country program, also made waves in golf, earning the USCAA National Student-Athlete of the Year award. This honor recognized her excellence both athletically and academically, underlining the rising strength of the Golf program. This is the second time in as many years that a Penn State Shenango female golfer has won this award.
Athletics Director Brandon Padgett shared his enthusiasm about the golf team's trajectory, stating, "I am extremely excited about the direction of our Golf program. Recruiting has gotten stronger, and the results prove that. We hope that with the success of our men's team, and with the success of our only female golfer, winning Golf Female Student-Athlete of the Year, recruiting should get even stronger."
Overall, the Fall 2024 was a year of significant growth and achievement for Penn State Shenango Athletics, with each team building a strong foundation for future success. The coming seasons promise even more excitement as these programs continue to evolve and excel.