Penn State women’s volleyball embraces Jonni Parker, Silent Set in thrilling 5-set win

Usually, Penn State women’s volleyball strives to make Rec Hall the loudest spot on campus during its matches to ensure a home-court advantage.

But during the first set of the Nittany Lions’ 3-2 win over Michigan State on Saturday night, that goal was flipped on its head — the blue and white wanted its supporters to be as quiet as possible.

Penn State hosted its second-ever Silent Set against the Spartans in support of senior right-side hitter Jonni Parker, who has hearing loss. The fans didn’t cheer, yell or clap for the first nine Nittany Lion points in homage to Parker’s No. 9 jersey.

The first Silent Set came in 2019, Parker’s sophomore season, when Penn State downed Michigan State in straight sets behind Parker’s 16 kills.

Parker finished with 18 kills in a tougher five-set victory against the same opponent on Saturday, behind only Kaitlyn Hord’s 24. The Casstown, Ohio, native also compiled seven digs and three total blocks, finishing with 19.5 points.

And Hord, who has been Parker’s teammate since the two came to Happy Valley as freshmen in 2018, said she was proud to have played in a match honoring her teammate.

“Jonni is just an amazing human being, and this cause is great — it’s something that not a lot of people know about,” Hord said. “Whatever we can do to bring awareness to this, it’s a great feeling to have. We’re really glad to be playing in this match.”

Hord had four kills in the first nine Penn State points alone, the most of any Nittany Lion in that span.

It was Parker, however, who put the match on ice with the final kill in the fifth set. The kill was the 1,304th of her four-year career with the blue and white.

The senior didn’t record her first kill until late in the first set, but head coach Russ Rose has seen Parker come alive as matches progress.

And she did exactly that against the Spartans.

“As a player, she always competes really hard,” Rose said. “There are times in a match where she starts slow and she’s not playing great — probably doesn’t like it when I point it out — but she comes back strong.”

Parker recorded five kills in the do-or-die fifth set, propelling herself and her Penn State teammates to their 17th win of the season ahead of a four-match road trip.

Her production on the court isn’t Parker’s only calling card, as Rose stressed her character off of the hardwood as a major part of her identity as a Nittany Lion.

“She’s very caring of other people, not just to her teammates — but young people who reach out all of the time and maybe have a challenge,” Rose said. “They find Jonni to be somebody that they can relate to. She’s always available and gives them time.”

Even before Penn State took the floor for the Silent Set, its players noticed the support that the Penn State faithful gives them.

“It feels comfortable just knowing that the crowd is behind us and the fans are there for us,” senior Adanna Rollins said after the Nittany Lions’ 3-1 win over Michigan on Friday. “We know that they’re with us even when we’re down or up.

“No matter what, they’re with us.”

Penn State’s fans came together again for the Silent Set, biting their tongues and covering their mouths in support of Parker — one of the most well-rounded players a team can have, according to Rose.

“Every box that one would have criteria in, she’s very special,” Rose said. “She’s a great teammate.”