espnW Volleyball Player Of The Week: Minnesota's Sarah Wilhite

— -- Minnesota outside hitter Sarah Wilhite won't forget last Saturday's scene inside the sold-out Sports Pavilion anytime soon.

In front of 5,535 raucous fans, Minnesota made a sweeping statement, upsetting two-time defending NCAA champion Penn State 25-23, 25-20, 25-21.

Minnesota's 14th straight victory and first over the Nittany Lions since 2010 puts the Gophers atop a Big Ten so loaded with talent that seven teams are ranked in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association poll. That includes Minnesota (23-3) at No. 3 and former No. 1 Penn State (24-3) dropping to No. 4.

Wilhite, the espnW national player of the week, finished with a team-best 12 kills against the Nittany Lions, including nine in the third set. Her final kill was on match point, creating a celebration befitting a postseason triumph.

"The atmosphere was the best I've seen it," said Wilhite, who also had 12 kills in Wednesday's victory at Northwestern. "It is such a privilege to play in the Sports Pavilion with over 5,000 fans cheering for the Golden Gophers. The crowd was on our side, and we were able to feed off of them. Hearing the crowd go wild after a long rally gave me chills. That will be something I remember for a long time."

"In the second half against Penn State, Sarah was really impressive and almost unstoppable," said coach Hugh McCutcheon. "She was hitting with great range, and she did a lot of great things for us. Sarah has a lot of potential and ability, and I think we're just seeing that come to fruition."

Back on Sept. 26, Minnesota extended Penn State to five before falling 15-12 in the final set. This time a steadier team took the floor, demonstrating the laser, point-by-point focus that McCutcheon preaches.

"Penn State pushed back, but we were able to stay composed and worry about our side," said Wilhite, who hit a match-high and career-high .579. "We worried about Gopher volleyball, not what they do. Penn State's a great program. We handled the battle really well."

Wilhite grew up in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, just a half hour from the university and initially verbally committed to the University of Wisconsin. But leaving home weighed on her given her closeness to family.

Her parents are regulars at the Sports Pavilion and brother Sam comes when his own hockey games don't interfere. Her 10-year-old sister, Caroline, is a ball girl for the team.

"She's either wiping up sweat off the court or passing us the ball when we're serving," Wilhite said. "I love that."

A starter in 28 of 31 games last season, Wilhite honed her skills over the summer as one of 12 players invited to travel to China with the collegiate national team. Always a strong hitter, she has become a more accurate passer this season and credits the coaching staff with improving her mental approach.

"The completeness of her game is her real strength," McCutcheon said.

Wilhite said she benefits from playing alongside senior Daly Santana, an AVCA All-America honorable mention in 2014.

"I've learned a lot from Daly," Wilhite said. "I love her work ethic, and she's a great role model. She gives this positive energy to the team that a lot of us have tried to mimic. Skill-wise, her hitting is amazing."

In addition to volleyball excellence, Wilhite was academic All-Big Ten last season. A physiology major, she plans to become a physician assistant.

With four regular-season games remaining, the Gophers, whose lone Big Ten title came in 2002, sit atop the Big Ten with a 15-1 mark, two games ahead of Penn State and Nebraska, both 13-3. Minnesota hosts Maryland on Wednesday.