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The Penn State connection on the USWNT is a special one for Krieger and Naeher, who have had to compete with the likes of North Carolina alumnae such as Tobin Heath, Allie Long, Ashlyn Harris and Crystal Dunn. However, Penn State's 19 Big Ten titles and 2015 NCAA champi- onship keep the Nittany Lions on the na- tional stage. "The Penn State vibe with our alumni is just something that I cherish and feel like we're so connected no matter what year you graduated or what experience you had," Krieger said. Naeher didn't follow a straight path to her starting spot on the USWNT. She was a backup to Hope Solo, who was the starter in the 2015 World Cup and is con- sidered to be the best goalie the women's game has seen. Solo had her contract ter- minated after the 2016 Olympic Games, where the USWNT was bounced by Swe- den in the quarterfinals – the team's ear- liest exit in a major tournament. "I never got wrapped up in that, it wasn't my focus," Naeher said. "She had her career, a great career. It was my op- portunity now for this next chapter, so I'm just proud that I was able to help this team win this year." Naeher had big gloves to fill, not only as the starting goalie for the best national team in the world, but also as a leader on the field. "I think Alyssa is kind of a quiet leader. She's not trying to be someone she's not," said Carli Lloyd, a USWNT co-captain and 2016 FIFA World Player of the Year. "She does her job, she does it to the best of her ability every single day and she goes out, she tries to get better and you can always count on her." At 31 years old, Naeher is one of 11 play- ers on the national team who are age 30 or older. She has been helping develop some of the younger players who may play piv- otal roles in next summer's Tokyo Olympics and in the 2023 World Cup. "Keep grinding away and working hard and wait for your opportunity," Naeher said. "When you have it, be ready for it. Control what you can control. I'm just glad that when the opportunity came, I was ready for it." ■ Penn State was ranked eighth in the season's first American Volleyball Coaches Association Division I Top 25, which was released on Aug. 13. The Nittany Lions, who have been nationally ranked in 443 consecutive polls dating to the end of the 1988 season, are one of seven Big Ten teams in this year's preseason poll. Ranked ahead of Penn State to start the season are No. 2 Nebraska, No. 3 Minnesota, No. 5 Wisconsin, and No. 6 Illinois. Two other Big Ten teams are in the top 20, with Michigan ranked 15th and Purdue 17th. Penn State plays 12 matches against nine nationally ranked teams this sea- son, including four against noncon- ference opponents. The Nittany Lions host No. 1 Stanford – the defending national champion – and No. 11 Ore- gon as part of the Big Ten/Pac 12 Challenge on Sept. 13-14. The Lions are also scheduled to play two matches against No. 12 Pittsburgh, which won the Atlantic Coast Conference title last season. The Panthers will come to Rec Hall on Sept. 20 and will host the second match of the series at the Pe- tersen Events Center on Sept. 22. The Lions will open their season later this month when they host the Penn State Classic. Hofstra, Holy Cross and Wichita State are set to compete in the four-team, six-match event, which will take place Aug. 30- 31 at Rec Hall. PSU GRADS TOKYO-BOUND Penn State alumnae Haleigh Washington and Megan Courtney played integral roles as the U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team secured an automatic bid to the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. The former Nittany Lions helped the United States go 3-0 in the Pool C Qualification Tournament in Bossier City, La., earlier this month, with victories over No. 23 Kazakhstan, No. 16 Bulgaria and No. 11 Argentina. The U.S. squad entered the event as the third-ranked team in the world. "It feels amazing," Washington said. "There was a point where I was on the floor, and I was in this moment where I was [thinking], 'We are play- ing to go to the Olympics right now.' That's what this match meant. It is surreal. It is amazing. I am excited for the next grind and going to Tokyo." The U.S. posted a 3-0 (25-22, 25-17, 25-23) win over Argentina in the final match to clinch an Olympic berth. Washington contributed five kills on 11 attacks, two blocks and two aces, while Courtney was unofficially cred- ited with a 50 positive reception per- cent on 26 chances and added 11 digs. In July, the Penn State duo had helped lift the U.S. team to victory in the Volleyball Nations League, with Washington winning Best Blocker honors and Courtney being named Best Libero. But Courtney said that title was just a stepping stone. "We talk about it all the time," she said following the Americans' victory over Argentina. "This was our big goal for the year. The VNL win was good, but our main tournament was focusing on the Olympic qualifier. We took care of business, although it wasn't easy, teams definitely didn't give it to us. We had to earn it. Just really excited for this team's opportu- nity to play in Tokyo." The victory over Kazakhstan came in straight sets, and Team USA added a come-from-behind win in five sets over Bulgaria. Washington chipped in five kills on nine attacks, four blocks and an ace for 10 points against Bul- garia. Courtney provided 25 recep- tions and nine digs. ■ WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL Lions 8th in preseason rankings

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