CNN
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Penn State’s women’s volleyball team is champion for the first time in a decade, amid adversity and history.

The Nittany Lions defeated Louisville 3-1 (25-23, 32-34, 25-20, 25-17) to win in front of a record crowd of 21,860 at the KFC Yum! the program’s eighth NCAA title. Center in Louisville, Kentucky on Sunday.

The victory turned out to be historic.

In a championship showdown between two female head coaches, Penn State coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley became the first female coach to win the NCAA Division I volleyball title.

“There were so many before me and that paved the way for me,” Schumacher-Cawley told the ESPN broadcast after the game. “I am so grateful and hope that there are more in the future who want to train and be a part of it.”

However, it wasn’t an easy road to this championship for the 44-year-old, who is in her third year at Penn State’s helm.

In October, Schumacher-Cawley announced that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Schumacher-Cawley expressed her gratitude for the people around her and also mentioned who she is inspired by after winning the title.

“I’m so lucky to be surrounded by so many great people, from this team to the staff I have,” Schumacher-Cawley told reporters. “I’m just very lucky to have great people around me who go above and beyond… I’m inspired by little children who are sick. I’m undergoing treatment at UPenn and every time I enter the hospital I walk right past the Children’s Hospital. Sure, if I can be an inspiration to someone, then I accept that, but I feel good and I’m lucky to have the people around me. I think that’s why we’re successful.”

After splitting the first two sets, Penn State found another gear to take the next two and bring the title back to State College for the first time since 2014.

The Nittany Lions were led by All-American outside hitter Jess Mruzik, who posted a season-high 29 kills. She was later named the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.

The Nittany Lions now have the second-most titles in NCAA history, trailing only Stanford’s nine championships.

Penn State finished the season with a 12-game winning streak and an overall record of 35-2.