Northwestern Volleyball’s 2025 schedule was fully released last month, as the Wildcats are hoping for a rebound after winning just five games last season and finishing second-to-last in the conference. Head coach Tim Nollan is currently in the midst of his first full offseason as NU’s coach, as he continues to rebuild and enhance the program to bring it to a competitive level.

The road to improvement will start with 12 non-conference matchups, four more than last season. The abundant amount of preseason games should benefit the ‘Cats, as they’ll have more time to ramp up players, figure out the best lineups and hone their rotation before conference play begins. The majority of their non-conference opponents were average but not elite last season; however, most finished with a significantly better record than the ‘Cats. Thus, they can provide insight into how much better NU has gotten and whether it has exited the lowly tier of NCAA volleyball teams.

NU will begin its season in San Diego playing New Mexico State, Eastern Washington and UC San Diego on three consecutive days. It will then face one of its toughest opponents in Baylor, which had a 14-4 conference record last season. The other test for the ‘Cats will be a road match against Buffalo, which finished 16-16 last season and 12-6 in the MAC. Aside from these two, the remaining opponents are formidable but beatable.

Conference play begins on September 25th and spans 20 games, with ten in Evanston including four games at home to start. The ‘Cats finished just 2-10 at Welsh-Ryan Arena in 2024, so this opening homestand provides an early opportunity to find confidence and success on their home floor, while making clear to the Wildcat faithful this is a new and refined team. The four games include matchups against NCAA tournament teams in Indiana and Oregon.

Another unique part of its schedule follows, as NU will go from facing a likely terrible team to a likely great team. A matchup against Rutgers, which is also seeking a bounce-back season after finishing last in 2024 conference play, will be followed by a road trip to Penn State to take on the defending national champions. The ‘Cats will need to approach both games with ferocity and be prepared to adjust quickly, given the huge difference in opponent quality.

It won’t just be Penn State that NU will have to contend with. A date with Nebraska — the only other 19-1 team in conference play last season — is scheduled for October 24. The ‘Cats will play several other tournament teams this season, including five at home. Aside from Indiana and Oregon, the ‘Cats will welcome Washington, Wisconsin and Illinois. Northwestern will also face the Fighting Illini twice this season, including a road visit on the final game of the season. Finally, the Wildcats will take on Iowa twice, with the first game taking place on Halloween in Evanston.

Other highlights on the schedule include NU making its first trip to Southern California to face USC and UCLA back-to-back in early November.

The conference isn’t getting any easier, but there are games every week that the ‘Cats have a shot of winning. Taking advantage of sloppy performances and feeding off home crowd energy could go a long way. Regardless, some improvement is what the program is looking for. Let’s see if it can deliver.

Spring sports proved to be successful again for Journal-area high school teams, with multiple state champions crowned and numerous state trophies making their way back to area schools.
While it was the most recent sports season, here’s a refresher of 2025 spring sports highlights for the Journal-area:
 
Girls Water Polo:
State Champion: Stevenson
State Qualifiers: Stevenson, Fremd
 
Boys Water Polo:
State Qualifiers: Stevenson, Palatine
Note: Both teams fell in the state quarterfinals …

Transferable skills

Penn State volleyball head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley has experienced more in the past 12 months than some people do in a lifetime.

She’s faced highs and lows that inspired the nation. Schumacher-Cawley was diagnosed with breast cancer in September. Despite her battle, she remained on the sidelines and guided PSU to its best season in a decade.

The Nittany Lions won the 2024 national championship, defeating Louisville in four sets (25-23, 32-34, 25-20, 25-17) and claiming their eight crown. It was a remarkable accomplishment for Schumacher-Cawley, returning to her home program and delivering the first title since 2014.

On Wednesday, Schumacher-Cawley received an award that transcends volleyball and a national championship.

At the 2025 ESPYS, Schumacher-Cawley was named the recipient of the 2025 Jimmy V Perseverance Award following her battle with breast cancer. 

“I’m beyond humbled and truly grateful for this moment,” Schumacher-Cawley said after receiving the award. “This past year has been one I could have never imagined. It’s been filled with challenges, grit, tears, but also with perspective, purpose, and unbelievable love.”

Schumacher-Cawley rang the bell on February 10 after six rounds of chemo and a near six-month battle, officially being declared cancer free. 

“Well, we did it! Six rounds of chemo — done! Today, I rang the bell, marking the end of this chapter,” Schumacher-Cawley said on Instagram. “What a journey it has been. There are truly no words to express how deeply grateful I am for the unwavering support from every corner of my life.”

“Cancer changed my life, but it didn’t take it,” she said. “It didn’t take my belief, it didn’t take my spirit, and it didn’t take my team.” 

Schumacher-Cawley thanked her family in State College, Chicago, and Pittsburgh for their support, including her husband and children. 

“You’ve been my rock and my strength,” Schumacher-Cawley said. “You showed up in every moment, even the hard ones, with love, humor, and unwavering support.”

She also thanked her doctors at UPenn and Mount Nittany Medical. 

“The medical professionals who help so many of us are such heroes,” Schumacher-Cawley said.

She started her speech in a lighter note, thanking ESPN and highlighting Penn State football legend Saquon Barkley. 

“Thank you to ESPN and the ESPYS for having me.” Schumacher-Cawley said. “Congratulations to all of tonight’s winners, especially my guy Saquon. Fly Eagles (Fly). Penn Stater! Let’s go. I know, I’m sitting here with some Ohio State guys. That’s alright. I have love for you.”

Members of the Penn State volleyball team accompanied Schumacher-Cawley to Los Angeles and the ESPY awards and were shown in the upper galley during her award speech.

“Thank you to my team and my former players,” Schumacher-Cawley said. “You inspired me everyday to keep fighting and reminded me what it means to be part of something bigger than yourself. That jersey we wear means everything and the bond we share is unbreakable.”

She concluded by thanking the Jimmy V foundation and saying she will fight with Dylan, a Make A Wish child she met this week that has a fight ahead of him. She also mentioned her late father. 

“I share this with everyone who’s ever faced this disease,” Schumacher-Cawley said. “The survivors, those still fighting, and with the ones that we’ve lost, especially my dad. This one’s for you. Keep showing up, keep believing, and please never, ever give up.”

The Nittany Lions begin their title defense in Lincoln, Nebraska. Penn State opens the 2025 season at Creighton on August 23 at AVCA First Serve. 

PSU will play Arizona State and TCU in Pittsburgh at PPG Paints Arena from August 31-September 1. The first match inside Rec Hall is on September 5 against the Kentucky Wildcats in the 2025 Penn State Invitational.