When the women’s volleyball Final Four begins Thursday, Penn State volleyball player Caroline Jurevicius be on the court.
The Nittany Lions have a date with Nebraska, a familiar foe to Jurevicius. She spent the first year of her college career with the Huskers and used that time as a redshirt season before transferring at the end of the year.
Now, she’s a key piece of a squad coached by Katie Schumacher-Cawley, trying to add another championship school’s seven national titles.
If you’re wondering who Jurevicius is and what you need to know about the young player, we’ve got you covered. Here are more facts about the outside hitter, including her ties to the NFL.
Aug 30, 2023; Lincoln, NE, USA; The Nebraska Cornhuskers watch a presentation before the match against the Omaha Mavericks at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Caroline had a stout volleyball career before she arrived at Penn State as a redshirt transfer.
At Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin High School, she led her team to the Ohio DII state championship as a sophomore. Eventually, she returned and won it as a senior in 2022, recording a blistering 27 kills in the championship match.
In 2023, her elite skills landed her at Nebraska, where she was part of history when the Cornhuskers played in Memorial Stadium before a sold-out crowd of 92,003. It was the largest crowd ever for a women’s sporting event in the United States.
CLEVELAND – NOVEMBER 04: Joe Jurevicius #84 of the Cleveland Browns carries the ball as he is grabbed by Jordan Babineaux #27 the Seattle Seahawks on November 4, 2007 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Seahawks 33-30 in overtime. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Fittingly, Jurevicius’ ties to Penn State are a bit deeper than most might realize. Her dad is Penn State alumni and 11-year NFL veteran, Joe Jurevicius. He had several years as a productive receiver with the Nittany Lions before being drafted in 1998 by the New York Giants.
Joe Jurevicius spent four seasons with New York before signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a free agent, where he went on to win a Super Bowl in 2003. After a stint in Tampa, the former wideout played for two other organizations, including the Cleveland Browns, before retiring.
Since then, Joe Jurevicius has spent time with his family and is an avid supporter of his daughter. Cameras recently caught him nervously watching a match.
Penn State volleyball head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley holds up the Big Ten title trophy after the Nittany Lions defeated Nebraska 3-1 to claim at least a share of the title at Rec Hall on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in State College, Pa.
Volleyball fans can watch Jurevicius in action on Thursday, December 19, when Penn State plays Nebraska in the national semifinal at 9:00 p.m. ET during the women’s Final Four.
Her team has overcome several obstacles to get there, including head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley’s September breast cancer diagnosis. Under her leadership this season, the Nittany Lions produced a 29-2 season and a No. 2 record.
