Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1542734
F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 6 13 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M Ka e DeSa — Women's Ice Hockey DeSa was one of 31 Division I goalten- ders named to the watch list for the Hockey Commissioners Association's Women's Goalie of the Year award, marking the sec- ond consecutive season in which she's been in contention for the honor. A senior from Pawcatuck, Conn., DeSa has been a key part of Penn State's surge to the top five of the national rankings. She won 16 of her first 18 starts, posting 7 shutouts, the most in the nation. Through the Nittany Lions' first 23 games, she was ranked second nationally in both goals-against average (1.36) and win percentage (.889). Sean Harvey — Men's Volleyball Harvey fueled Penn State's offense in season-opening victories over Mount Olive (3-1, Jan. 9) and Manhattan (3-0, Jan. 10) at Rec Hall. The redshirt sophomore outside hitter from Bartlett, Ill., totaled 13 kills, 3 blocks and 5 digs in the four-set win over the Trojans, then followed with 14 kills and a .667 hitting percentage in the sweep of the Jaspers. Following the Lions' successful open- ing weekend, Harvey received EIVA Offensive Player of the Week honors for the first time in his career, while redshirt senior libero Ryan Merk was named Defensive Player of the Week. Brooke Klosowicz — So ball Klosowicz, a junior utility player/desig- nated hitter from Johnsburg, Ill., has been collecting preseason honors heading into her third campaign with the Nittany Lions. She was listed No. 79 in the D100 Individual Player Rankings from D1Softball and was No. 92 in Softball America's list of the top players in the country heading into the 2026 season. Last year, Klosowicz set Penn State single-season records for doubles (23) and RBI (53), while placing second in total bases (131) and fourth in home runs (13). PSU is set to begin its season Feb. 6 against Missouri at the NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Fla. Ma Underhill — Men's Gymnas cs Underhill won three events in the Lions' season-opening dual meet against Army on Jan. 11 at Rec Hall. The senior from Ocono- mowoc, Wis., posted scores of 13.350 in the floor exercise, 13.750 on rings and 14.300 on vault. He earned stick bonuses in the latter two events, and his scores were second-best in the country on the first week- end of the regular season. Underhill's strong showing helped the Lions open their campaign with a 311.300-297.600 win over the Black Knights. He was later named Big Ten Gymnast of the Week for the first time in his career. — Matt Herb PENN STATE'S TOP PERFORMERS Penn State hired Hannah Prince away from Saint Joseph's in January to be its next field hockey coach. A Massachusetts alum and former member of Team USA, Prince led the Hawks' program for four seasons. After becoming a head coach for the first time in 2022, she guided the team to four con- secutive Atlantic 10 Tournament titles and four NCAA Tournament appearances. St. Joe's finished as the 2024 national runner- up and reached the second round last fall. In a news release announcing her ap- pointment, Prince thanked athletics di- rector Patrick Kraft for the opportunity to lead Penn State's program. "His vision, leadership and commitment to building championship programs and supporting student-athletes is truly special, and I am honored to join an athletic department with such a strong tradition of success and pride," she said. "I am excited to work with our field hockey student-athletes, bringing my passion for the game every day as we uphold the values of Penn State. Nittany Lion Field Hockey has a proud and storied tradition, and I am ready to pour my passion and energy into building a program that competes for championships." Prince takes over for Lisa Bervinchak Love, who did not have her contract renewed following the 2025 season. Bervinchak Love suc- ceeded longtime coach Charlene Morett-Curtiss and went 24-27 in three seasons. Kraft said he was excited to bring Prince into a program that has been to eight Final Fours, most recently in 2022. "Hannah has already achieved national success and has emerged as one of the bright young coaching stars in collegiate field hockey," he said. "Her energy, enthusiasm and experience at the highest level of NCAA field hockey along with her commitment to academic excellence make her the ideal person to build upon the historic success that our program has already achieved. Penn State is committed to excellence at the highest level in everything we do, and Hannah shares the vision of bringing championship field hockey back to Penn State." Prince is Kraft's ninth head coaching hire since taking over as athlet- ics director ahead of the 2022-23 academic year. The others are Matt Campbell (football), Mike Rhoades (men's basketball), Mike Gambino (baseball), Rob Dow (men's soccer), Kayla Treanor (women's lacrosse), Bruce Lipka (men's tennis), Mark Leon (men's golf) and Kristen Simpson (women's golf). — Greg Pickel In four seasons at St. Joseph's, Pr i n ce le d t h e H aw ks to fo u r Atlantic 10 Tournament titles and four NCAA Tournament appear- ances. PHOTO COURTESY SAINT JOSEPH'S ATHLETICS Hannah Prince Named Field Hockey Head Coach