TAMPA, Fla. — Penn State players scurried for scissors to cut down the nets, ran for volleyballs left behind and moved quickly to secure pieces of banners around the arena.

Everyone wanted a piece of history. They were the only ones who got it.

Penn State became the first team to win three straight NCAA women's volleyball titles last night, overcoming a two-set deficit to beat Texas and extend its record winning streak to 102 matches.

Megan Hodge led the Nittany Lions (38-0) with 21 kills, including the final one that touched off a wild celebration at midcourt.

"Blacked out," Hodge said. "I was asking everybody after the match what happened on the last play. I don't remember."

Penn State's 22-25, 20-25, 25-23, 25-21, 15-13 win helped it stake a claim as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, volleyball team in NCAA history. And maybe one of the best college teams ever.

The win streak is second in Division I team sports behind the Miami men's tennis program's 137 straight from 1957-64.

"Not a lot of people have done stuff like that," Penn State coach Russ Rose said. "I got a cigar with my name on it tonight."

The Nittany Lions led 22-19 in the first set and were on the brink of going ahead early. Then Texas called timeout, regrouped and rallied for six straight points.

"We were playing pretty perfect," Texas' Ashley Engle said. "I think we stunned Penn State a little bit."

The Nittany Lions had only lost six sets this season entering the final, including the first set against Hawai'i in the semifinals. They would rally again.

Penn State regained its serving prowess and cruised through the next two sets and had only a few miscues in the final set before closing out the Longhorns.

Destinee Hooker had a match-high 34 kills for Texas, which was trying to claim its first volleyball title since 1988. She was selected as the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.