Penn State volleyball's remarkable NCAA turnaround in December helped recalibrate a slumping Nittany Lions hockey team and fuel their run to the Frozen Four.

That fact was never displayed more prominently than when Cerrato had the instincts to know his teammate was trailing behind him for the game-winning overtime goal in Sunday night’s 2-1 win over UConn to send Penn State to its first Frozen Four in program history.

Ohio State, Minnesota and No. 2 Michigan State all fell in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, leaving Penn State (22-13-4) as the final team remaining from the conference in the tournament. After their miserable start in conference play, the Nittany Lions proved it isn’t how you start, it’s how you finish.