Penn State women’s volleyball head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley has cancer, but she’s refused to let it stop her all season long.

Katie Schumacher-Cawley could have taken a leave of absence when she was told last fall that she would have to begin treatment for breast cancer immediately. Instead, she remained a daily presence

Penn State's Katie Schumacher-Cawley became the first female coach to win an NCAA women's volleyball title. She did so while undergoing treatment for cancer.

This Sunday, Louisville takes on Penn State in the NCAA women's volleyball finals. But over the past few months, the Nittany Lions have faced a much bigger battle: Their coach, Katie Schumacher-Cawley, has been diagnosed with cancer.

Penn State women’s volleyball are champions for the first time in a decade and it came amid adversity and history.

Diagnosed with breast cancer in September, Penn State's volleyball coach never missed a practice. Now the program is a win from the NCAA title.

Penn State won the NCAA women's volleyball championship on Sunday afternoon, beating Louisville in four sets to prevail 25-23, 32-34, 25-20, 25-17 and earn the eighth championship in the history of the program.

That wasn't the biggest adversity the team felt in September, though. It was also the month that head coach Katie Schumacher revealed that she was battling breast cancer. MORE: Penn State pulls off reverse sweep vs. Nebraska to advance to NCAA final

Katie Schumacher-Cawley took in her milestone moment with a big smile, hugging confetti-covered players and supporters before hoisting the championship trophy t