Wakefield volleyball
Penn State volleyball legend takes in Wakefield match
While Penn State volleyball coach Russ Rose — in the midst of his 30th year — might get overshadowed by another long-time Lions coach in terms of recognition, few people can match his success on court.
Having led the Lady Lions to three national championships, including consecutive titles the past two seasons, Rose is one of the most prominent figures in women's volleyball.
And with his Lady Lions in the Triangle this week, competing in the 12th annual Duke
Volleyball Invitational in Durham, the coach dropped in to watch Penn State recruit Katie Slay and the Wakefield volleyball team host Millbrook Thursday evening.
Sitting just four rows from the floor, Rose saw the Lady Wolverines capture a straight-set victory, capped appropriately by a Slay spike.
Although Slay verbally committed the Rose earlier this year, NCAA rules do not allow the coach to discuss his future player until she officially joins his program.
But Rose took the time to briefly discuss volleyball in the Triangle with NorthRaleighSports.com before the match.
With two Triangle-area players, senior Megan Hodge (Durham Riverside) and sophomore Katie Kabbes (Cardinal Gibbons), on Penn State's roster — and Slay on the way — it's apparent Rose believes there is talent in the area. And the coach cited solid club teams as a reason.
"As the club programs have really picked up over the years, it has resulted in making a lot of good players," he said. "There are a lot of kids playing the game, and they are getting better and better."
While Penn State has success on a national level, Rose explained he likes to recruit players within a certain area, approximately 6 to 8 hours of State College.
"We don't really go to Texas or California even though volleyball is very strong there," he added. "We feel you need to somewhat recruit geographically."
Because the Lady Lions' schedule lasts from late August to mid-December, Rose said most of his recruitment stops are during the club season.
"It is very rare to see a high school game," he shrugged. "I am here now because I'm in town for the Duke tournament."
Having hosted the Blue Devils a few seasons ago, Rose wanted to return the favor and come to Durham. Recently, the Lady Lions played at UNC-Chapel Hill as well.
Asked what's changed in volleyball since he took over the program three decades ago, Rose laughed, pointing out, "In 30 years, everything has changed."
When he took over the Penn State program, it was just three years old, and lacked many of the perks now associated with big-time college sports.
"We wore old women's basketball uniforms early on," he chuckled.
Years later, the Lady Lions are the queen of college volleyball, and defending back-to-back champions.
Penn State is scheduled to play Loyola (Md.) Friday at 5 p.m. On Saturday, the Lady Lions are slated to play Charleston at noon, and Duke at 7 p.m.
