The last few months have been a whirlwind for Jess Mruzik - she won a national championship with Penn State, spent a few days celebrating the holidays with her family, and then moved to Houston to start her professional volleyball career with LOVB Houston. The standout outside hitter was a huge part of the historic season for the Penn State volleyball program, leading the team on and off the court. She is now etching her name in the professional history books as a member of the inaugural season of League One Volleyball League. Today we dive in to:

• 2024 National Championship & entire tournament
• Penn State Volleyball's season mantra: Bigger Than Us
• Impact of iconic moment Head Coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley made history as 1st female coach to win a DI national title
• LOVB - excitement for inaugural season & impact for younger athletes
• Passion off the court (shoutout to grandpa!)

Follow Jess on social: @jess_mruz19

Learn more about LOVB: lovb.com

Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

Professional runner Heather MacLean is as Boston as it gets - she loves runs on the Charles River, Dunkin, the Celtics, and even worked her first job at Market Basket. But now Heather is living her dream racing the 1500 for New Balance (based in MA!) She wasn't the standout in high school, or even college, but she puts in the work and trains with the best. In 2021 she punched her ticket to Tokyo, surprising many (but not her team!) The taste of the international stage at that scale lit a fire and she wants more! Since then Heather has battled injury but is back healthy and ready to compete in the upcoming season! Today we dive in to:

• VO2 Max Testing at The Track at New Balance
• How she found running & what made her fall in love with the sport
• The transition from college to professional running with an opportunity from New Balance and Mark Coogan
• Training for 2020 Olympic Trials & punching her ticket to Tokyo with teammate Elle Purrier St. Pierre
• Injury journey - the highs, lows, and lessons
• Mindset that has helped her keep eyes forward in career
• New Strava obsession

Follow along with Heather on social: @heather_maclean31

Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

Hockey goalie Aerin Frankel is known as one of the best goalies in NCAA history. While a freshman at Northeastern University she helped carry the team to their first (of many consecutive!) Hockey East titles. She also earned the Patty Kazmaier Award and WHCA National Goalie of the Year Award in 2021, and the latter a second time the following ear. She is now bringing her talents to the US National team and Boston Fleet (PWHL). Not only is she paving the way for women in hockey, but specifically young goalies! Today we dive in to:

• PWHL's second season & first season building an identity around a name/logo/franchise
• Getting started in hockey as a kid
• Importance of coaching and speaking with young female hockey players, specifically goalies
• What a typical game day looks like for her
• How her mentors, coaches, and family have helped her adjust from the collegiate to professional level

Follow along with Aerin on social: @aerin.frankel

Learn more about the Boston Fleet & find tickets: thepwhl.com/bostonfleet

Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube